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1. The impressions
that the orthodontist took of your teeth are made into plaster
models on which the appliance is made.
The model technician pours plaster into the moulds and, once set,
the models are trimmed ready for the dental technician to make
the brace. |
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2. Here the patient's
teeth have been cast as a plaster model and set ready for the
appliance wires to be shaped to the various position around
the teeth.
Using the pink wax that you bit into when having your
impressions taken, the Technician can recreate the relationship
between your upper and lower jaws. |
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3. The dental technician
bends the wires around the teeth. Any springs required on the
appliance will be waxed out leaving only a tag exposed to be
captured in the acrylic. |
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4. Here you can see
the appliance starting to take shape.
The wires are in place and the wax stops the acrylic gripping
the rear wire too firmly. This wire will need to be flexible
to spring against the teeth. |
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5. The technician uses
a combination of powders, acrylic liquids, colours and glitter
to form the body of the brace.
This is done in a fume cupboard due to the toxicity of the chemicals
used.
Gloves are worn at all times while using such chemicals and a
mask to prevent any particles being breathed in. |
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6. Before the acrylic
sets firmly, it can be cut roughly to shape.
The appliance is shaped for comfort and strength. |
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7. Here you can see
how flexible the material is.
It will then be placed in cold water and heated to 40
°C under high pressure to set. This is called 'Cold-Cure'. |
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8. Once cured, the
appliance is further trimmed using various burs and polishers. |
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9. The appliance needs
to be pumiced to remove any imperfections and to make the surface
perfectly smooth.
This messy process involves volcanic pumice and water. |
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10. It is then polished
to a very high sheen. |
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11. The final stage
is to varnish the appliance using a special chemical and ultra-violet
light. This ensures a perfect finish and comfort once fitted
in the mouth. |
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12. The appliance is
finished and ready to give to the patient.
All appliances are thoroughly cleaned and sterilised before
they are returned for fitting. |
