This document provides information on banding instruments and procedures in pediatric dentistry. It discusses the history of bands, various band materials and sizes, advantages and disadvantages of bands, ideal band material requirements, instruments used for banding, and banding techniques. The key points are: - Bands are thin metal rings placed on teeth, typically molars, to secure orthodontic appliances. Accurate band placement is important for fitting appliances. - Stainless steel is commonly used due to properties like resistance to tarnish and springiness. Band sizes vary based on tooth type. - Banding provides strong attachment but risks caries if cement seals fail. Autoclaving is the most reliable steril

2. BANDING INSTRUMENTS & PROCEDURE
Dr Ramesh R
Ist YEAR MDS
Department of Pedodontics & Preventive
Dentistry
K V G Dental College & Hospital

3. REFERENCES
 Dentistry for child and adolescent- Ralph E McDonald, David
R Avery. 10th edition- 9th edition
 Pediatric dentistry infancy through adolescence- 5th edition
Casamassimo
 Contemporary orthodontics - 4th edition- William R Proffit.
 Orthodontics: Current Principles and techniques - 5th edition –
Graber, Vanarsdall, Vig.
 Pediatric dentistry - Richard R Welbury, 2nd edition , 2001
 Gurukreet singh textbook of orthodontics, 1st edition , 2004
 Orthodontics: the Art and Science- 4th edition – Bhalajhi.
 Textbook of Pedodontics- 2nd edition – Sobha Tandon
 Principles and practice of Pedodontics- Arathi Rao

4. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 History
 Band material
 Indication & Contraindication of banding
 Classification of band
 Advantages & Disadvantages
 Ideal requirements of band material
 Instrument required for banding
 Banding Techniques
 Preformed bands
 Cementation of the band

5. CONTENTS contd
 Home care instructions
 Application of Molar bands in Pedodontics
 Conclusion

6. INTRODUCTION
 Now a days pediatric dentist is more concerned about the
longevity of appliance in child’s mouth & patient compliance
associated with these appliances. The fitting of bands at chair
side and their indirect transfer to the impression influences the
fit and function of the preventive or interceptive orthodontic
appliance being fabricated, thus accurate band placement plays
an important role in pediatric dentistry.

7. HISTORY
 1900s – Clamp bands that can be tightened around the tooth by
screw attachments came to use.
 MAGGIL- used plain band cemented to the teeth by oxychloride
of zinc cement.
 Stainless steel bands replaced gold ones.
 Pinched bands were welded than soldered
 1960s – Preformed bands came into use.

8. DEFINITION OF BANDING
 Banding involves use of thin stainless steel strips called
bands that are pinched tightly around the teeth &
cemented to the tooth.

9. WHAT ARE MOLAR BANDS???
 Bands are thin metal rings, that are placed usually on molar teeth
to secure the appliances.
 The forces exerted by the appliances are transmitted to the teeth
through the molar bands.

10. CLASSIFICATION OF BANDING
I) According to fabrication
Precious
metals
Chrome alloy
bands
Precious
metals
Chrome alloy
bands
iii) Preformed
seamless bands
i) Loop bands
ii) Tailored
bands

11. CLASSIFICATION OF BANDING
II) According to the size of the band material
Anterior primary teeth 0.003 * 0.125 * 2 inches
Bicuspids 0.004 * 0.150 * 2
inches
Primary molars 0.005 * 0.180 * 2
inches
Permanent molars 0.006 * 0.180 * 2
inches
THICKNESS WIDTH HEIGHT

12.  Stainless steel is the most commonly used material.
Reason ?
Composition of SS molar bands
Resistance to tarnish
Springiness property allow it to
be forced over height of contour
of the tooth and spring back
slightly to undercuts
Iron 60 - 78
Chromium 13 - 25
Silicon 0 - 2
Nickel 5 - 14
Manganese 0 - 4
Carbon Trace -
Trace
Niobium/Tantalum Trace -
1.10
Dentsply Material Safety data sheet,

13. AVAILABLE SIZES
 Roll band material (8 ft) is available in the following sizes
0.125* 0.003
0.150* 0.004
0.180* 0.006
0.180* 0.005
0.150* 0.005
0.125* 0.004

14. INDICATIONS FOR BANDING
 Teeth that receive heavy intermittent forces against attachment;
is primary indication for banding
 Teeth that need both labial & lingual attachment such as molar
with both headgear & lingual arch tubes.
 Teeth with short clinical crown or round buccal surfaces,
bonded bracket are difficult to place correctly.
 In young adolescents, recently erupted teeth with high gingival
margins favors banding rather than bonding.

15. CONTRAINDICATION FOR BANDING
 Elaborate instrumentation & skills needed
 Banded teeth is more prone to caries &
decalcification
 Supraeruption of opposing tooth can occur

16. ADVANTAGES
 Welding or soldering of the attachment is possible that
enhances retention.
 Facilitates both buccal and lingual attachment of auxiliaries
 Bands provide a broad surface & facilitates the attachment of
multiple auxiliaries that can be positioned with precision in an
extraoral environment followed by a single cementation
procedure.
 Superior reliability due to better resistance to occlusal
inteferences( Fricker 1997)
 Interproximal areas are well protected by the banding
 Removal of the band along with the attachments is easy

17. DISADVANTAGES OF BANDING
 Time consuming procedure compared to bonding
 Diffculty in maintaining oral hygeine
 Risk of dental caries under band if its becomes loose by loss of
cement seal
 Difficulty in banding in case of tooth with aberrant shape
 Difficulty in doing procedures like proximal stripping
 Placement of band will open small spaces in arch
 Wider attachments cannot be used with bands

18. Ideal requirements of band material
 It should fit contours of teeth as closely as possible, thereby
enhancing the placement of attachment in relationship of tooth
 It should not extend subgingivally any more than necessary
 It should resist deformation under stress in mouth
 Resist tarnish
 Inherent springness
 Causes no occlusal interference

19. SUBGINGIVAL EXTENSION
 Extend 1 mm into the gingival sulcus ; optimal to provide the
gingival seal.
 Overextension – leads tissue irritation
 Osteoclastic activity of the bone will be enhanced, resulting in
bone resorption.
 Underextension – leads to accumulation of plaque & resulting
dental caries.

20. IS AUTOCLAVE AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR STERILIZING
CONTAMINATED MOLAR BANDS: AN IN VITRO STUY
 During band selection chances of contamination of the
preformed bands is the most common problem encountered in
day-to-day practice.
 The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of
different decontamination procedures performed on ‘tried-in’
molar bands and to see whether their reuse would indeed
represent a crossinfection control hazard.
 Preformed bands which were tried in patients were selected
(125 nos) and divided into five study groups as follows: Group
I: control group, Group II: unsterile group, Group III: autoclave
group, Group IV: glass bead sterilizer group and Group V: 70%
alcohol group.
 Is Autoclave an Effective Method for Sterilizing Contaminated
Molar Bands: An in vitro Study. Sudhan VM, Hassan S.
 J Ind Orthod Soc 2013;47(4):371-376.

21.  For the effective decontamination process, the bands should
produce 99.99% reduction in bacterial counts.
 Results: It showed that the autoclaved samples showed 100%
negative growth in all the bands, with questionable results with
glass beads and alcohol
 Heat is the most reliable method of sterilization and should be
method of choice unless contraindicated. Steam under pressure
reaches temperatures in excess of 100°C, which destroys the
organisms at steam pressure of 15 pounds/sq inch at a
temperature of 121°C, or 30 pounds of pressure at 134°C.
 The advantage of steam lies in the latent heat liberated when it
condenses on a cooler surface raising the temperature of the
surface. In case of the spores, steam condenses on it, increasing
its water content with ultimate hydrolysis and breakdown of the
bacterial protein.
 From this study, the following inferences can be drawn:

22.  1. The new preformed bands supplied by manufacturer are not totally
sterile unless the band is supplied as a sterile pack of single band. So
it is always safe to presterilize the new bands before being used
clinically.
 2. ‘Autoclave is the best’ and gold standard for sterilization of all the
sterilization procedure in sterilizing orthodontic instruments and
bands.
 3. Glass bead sterilization is not complete and reliable as far as
spore-bearing organisms are concerned. Further research is required
to see the effectiveness of glass-bead sterilization on orthodontic
bands in particular (to establish the reliable time and temperature, to
obtain 100% sterility and eliminate even bacterial spores).
 4. Even though 70% alcohol reduced the microbial load significantly
is not 100% reliable.
 5. It is always safe to adhere to American Dental Council and
Council for Disease Control guidelines on decontamination and
sterilization procedures in pedodontic office.

23. INSTRUMENTS USED

24. BAND PINCHING PLIERS
 Curved used for lower band ;Straight for upper band
STRAIGHT HOW PLIER CURVED HOW PLIER

25. BAND PUSHER/ADAPTER
Push bands to seat them or adapt them to exact contour of
teeth

26.  BAND CUTTING SCISSORS

27.  BAND CONTOURING PLIERS
 Johnson band contouring plier used for contouring &
adapting. Beaks are tapered with a slight bow.one is concave
& other is convex allowing recontouring. It is used to
recontour band edges that sometimes get bent during band
placement

28. CRIMPING PLIER
 Crimping plier - Contour gingival surface of preformed band to
provide better tooth anatomy

29.  BAND SEATER/ BITE STICK

30.  BAND REMOVER
 Tip is positioned at middle of pad for easy removal of
band
 plastic pad rest on occlusal surface of tooth & sharp
tip below gingival contour
 Pressure at handle cause band to lift of tooth

31. SOLDER
 Soldering is process of joining of metals by fusion of filler
metals between them at temp below solidus temparature
of metals being joined, below 450.


32.  SPOT WELDERS

33. POLISHING AND FINISHING BURS


34. Effects of orthodontic bands on microbiologic and
clinical parameters
Marielle Coudray Huser, Dr. Med. Dent.,* Pierre C. Baehni, Dr. Med.
Dent.,** and Richard Lang, Dr. Stat. Mat.
 To determine whether the insertion of orthodontic bands resulted
in shifts in the bacterial composition of dental plaque as well as
changes in the clinical periodontal status.
 Result revealed that Plaque Index(PI) values for the test sites
showed a slight increase after placement of the bands and
remained significantly higher than base line values (p < 0.05),
whereas PI scores for the control sites did not change
significantly during the same period.
 American Jornal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics1990 Mar;97(3):213-8.

35.  There is change in the degree of plaque accumulation and
gingival inflammation after tooth banding.
 There is an increase in the level of gingival inflammation on
teeth with orthodontic bands as compared to controls.
 These type of appliances, by preventing adequate oral hygiene,
favors local plaque accumulation and as a result, gingival
inflammation.
 These findings should again suggests to the importance of
prophylactic programs for patients wearing such appliances
with molar banding.

36. BANDING TECHNIQUES
SEPARATION OF THE TEETH
 Tight interdental contacts hinder proper proximal contacts
 Adequate separation allows easier fabrication without much
discomfort to the patient

37. Types of separators:
 Grass line ligature
 Orthodontic grass line liagture used for long for slow tooth
separation,thread is passed along tooth, loop is secured around
contact area, a secure surgeons knot is placed on buccal or lingual.

38.  Brass wire
 Soft brass wires of 0.5 mm (22 gauge) for anterior teeth & 0.6
mm (26 gauge) for posterior teeth. It is also known as pigtail
separator.

39.  Elastic modules
 Elastic module or donut separator - Small elastic rings made
up of polyurethane are used. Rings of varying thickness are
placed around the interproximal contact to create spaces
between two adjacent teeth for banding procedure.

40. Mexican elastic separators
 They resembles a wide rubber band with thick rolled edges.
 They are obtained in strips and cut to size by the operator to
accommodate various teeth. It is stretched and passed through
the contacts between adjacent teeth.

41.  Kesling metallic ring separator
 It is a spring made up of 0.016 round Australian wire.
 It create interdental space faster as compared to other types of
separators and are easily tolerated by the patient. However, it
can be dislodged and can cause tissue damage.

42. Kansal separator
 Also known as “2-in-1” self-secured orthodontic spring
separator. It is a single separator which separates both mesial
and distal aspects of tooth simultaneously. It has a self-locking
connecting bar for prevention of premature dislodgement of the
separator.

43.  NiTi NEET springs
 Donald Mcgann in 1991 created NEET spring separator with 0.018”
NiTi wire consisting of two vertical legs
C separation maintainers
 These are preformed brass wire separators of “C” shape made up of
0.81mm (0.032”).
 Orthodontic Journal of Nepal, Vol. 6 No. 1, June 2016

45. II) SELECTION OF BAND MATERIAL
 Band is checked for 2 sides ie, dull & shiny
 Dull side faces tooth & shiny side faces oral cavity
 Dullness helps to hold cement in place & shiny side lets food
slide off

46. III) FABRICATION AND FITTING
 3 methods :
Direct technique
Indirect technique
preformed bands

47. DIRECT TECHNIQUE
1) Band Pinching
About 2/3 inch of band material is cut with scissors & Fold
the of band material to form a loop with dull sides facing
each other . Then first spot welding is done to hold
position.

48. Tangent ends of band material are rounded with curved
scissors so as not cut into patients cheek

49. Band is slipped down into the tooth structure & trail pinching made with band
forming pliers. Its better to have seam opposite cusp than a groove, as it
requires more thickness into groove

50. Then grasp the end with plier,band ends are then contoured in an incisogingival
or occlusogingival direction using contouring plier (no : 114 plier).

51. Ends of the new seam of of band material is then spot welded (3 to 4 spots)
The contoured strip is then placed back on the tooth in the desired position
Band is then pinched on the cuspal area and never on the grooves

52. ii) FESTOONING
• Contouring the band done to follow the gingival margin proximally
• Crescent shaped piece of band material is removed from cervical
area; mesially & distally, done with curved scissors
• Distal side requires more trimming because of the lower position of
the marginal ridge and raised position of the gingiva

53. iii)TRIMMING
Concave cuts are blended into buccal & lingual cervical portion of band
by trimming burs. Reduction on the buccal and lingual sides to adjust the
occlusocervical length of the band

54. Band ready for final seating, after placing; pull the band from lingual aspect
squeezing excess out, hold band firmly in position with help of finger pressure
from buccal aspect & beak pliers from lingual

55. iv) FOLDING OF THE FLAP
After the forming seam excess is cut off leaving a small
remnant
Band is then returned to the tooth

56. 
Seam of the upper band is kept at the mesiolingual line angle
The two edges of the seam should be parallel to each other

57. Small remnant is neatly folded and neatly kept against the lingual surface
of the tooth
Folded remnant is then spot welded
Crimping can be done to give a rolled retentive edge to the band
Occlusal margin of the band must be below the occlusal
line angle of the tooth
Should extend 0.5-1.0 mm into the gingival sulcus

58. Infolding of seam

59. Final spot welding of seam

60. v) Welding
electric spot welding is carried out
INDIRECT TECHNIQUE
Made on plastic dies of teeth

61. PREFORMED BAND TECHNIQUE
 Select the size of the band material accordingly,
adjustments are done and cemented

62. PREFORMED BANDS
 Anatomical design – right and left shape for precise and
comfortable fitting
 Size identification and Palmer notation are permanently marked
to withstand heat sterilization
 Accurate sizes – proportionately graduated sizes of superior RMO
temper for use on primary molars and first permanent molars
 Dimensional strength remains stable without deformation during
trial fitting
 Withstands mastication and external appliance stress.
 Saves a lot of time.

63. TECHNIQUES OF BAND STABILIZATION
 Different techniques for band stabilisation in paediatric
dentistry in impression for space maintainer
1Dr. Balaji Subramaniyan MDS, *2Dr. Gurusamy Kayalvizhi MDS, 3Dr. Sangeetha P.
MDS, 4Dr. Neeraja R. MDS
 1) Sticky wax
 Sticky wax is the commonly practiced method to reinforce the
position of the band.
European journal of pharmacological &medical research, 2016,3(7), 157-16

64.  2) Orthodontic wires
 Bands adapted to the molars and transferred to the impression
and secured in the impression tray using short sections of
stainless steel wires (0.020).
 After which, dental stone poured, on the retrieved cast the
protruding wires at the base of the band has to be trimmed
before appliance fabrication.
 3) L-shape wire
 L-shape 0.032" wires inserted from buccal to lingual across the
banded molars, to secure the band in the impression.
 Instead of pouring the stone it should be painted over the
impression with a brush and the final fill has to be done with a
spatula.
 A disc used to cut the protruding ends of the wires to flush with
the model in the set cast.

65. 4) Pinning Bands with Wires
a) Stapler pins
 This is an excellent technique for securing bands in an
impression.
 Stapler wires are inserted into the alginate impression just
over the exposed edges of the bands.
 Two stapler wires per band can be inserted into the alginate
impression bucco lingually with the help of tweezers, to
secure the bands.
 After casting the exposed ends of stapler pin can be trimmed.

67. b) Bobby pins
 Two bobby pins can be placed diagonally to stabilize the band.
 The pins should pass through the perforations in the tray
running through the set alginate impression material, bisecting
the band to form an ‘X’.
 The pin should pass from buccal to lingual side through the
perforations in the impression tray.
 These bobby pins should be removed before the final set of the
stone

69. 5) Cyanoacrylate
 A simple and more reliable method, as it adheres well to both
the band and the alginate.
 A drop of cyanoacrylate (Fevikwik, Pidilite company, India)
can be added at the mesial and distal margins of the orthodontic
band where it contacts the impression material.
 But Misrahi recommends placing a drop of super glue
(cyanoacrylate) on the lingual aspect of the band in contact
with the impression material.
 This cyanoacrylate glue is known to set rapidly, when it comes
in contact with moisture inturn stabilizing the band

71.  6) Green stick compound
 The impression is dabbed with dry cotton in the area of band
placement such that it is devoid of moisture.
 Green stick compound is softened and flown over the
circumference of the band.
 Wax spatula is heated over the flame and is used to spread the
compound over the flanges of the impression (buccal and
lingual); the heated spatula is run through the inner surface of
the band to merge the compound with the band.
 Blow torch is used to glisten the surface of the compound.
 The impression is then washed in running tap water so that the
compound hardens, dental stone is poured once the cast has set
it is then immersed in hot water such that the green stick
compound surrounding the band softens and is easily pried
away with a lecron carver

73. IV) CEMENTATION
 Zinc phosphate,
 Zinc polycarboxylate,
 Conventional glass ionomers,
 Resin-modified glass ionomers.

76. Luting agent Commercial
pdt
properties
strength weakness
Zinc phosphate fleck’s Long clinical
experience
Occasional postoperative
sensitivity
High solubility
Low hardness
Polycarboxylate Durelon™ Low fluoride ion
release
Low postoperative
sensitivity
High solubility
Low adhesion
Low hardness
Conventional Glass
Ionomer
Ketac™ Cem
Fuji 1®
Fluoride ion release
Adhesion to tooth and
metal
Ease of use
Good routine cement
Occasional postoperative
sensitivity
Some moisture sensitivity
Marginal solubility
Resin-Modified
Glass Ionomer
RelyX™ Luting
Cement
RelyX™ Luting
Plus Cement
Fuji PLUS™
FujiCEM™
Fluoride ion release
Adhesion to tooth and
metal
Low or no marginal
solubility
Ease of use
Low postoperative
sensitivity
-Good routine cement
Swelling or linear
expansion
Moisture sensitive powder

77. Orthodontic band retention on primary molar stainless steel
crowns
Randy L. Beemer, DDS Jack L. Ferracane, PhD Harold E. Howard, DDS
 The retention of orthodontic bands cemented on primary molar
stainless steel crowns (SSC) was studied in vitro.
 Unitek maxillary and mandibular 1st and 2nd primary molar SSC
were fitted with one of four commonly used orthodontic bands
(Unitek regular, Unitek narrow, Rocky Mountain, or custom bands
made from SSC) using glass ionomer cement.
 The cemented samples were tested for their resistance to
dislodgment on the Instron Universal Testing Machine in tensile
mode.
 Unitek regular bands cemented on the 2nd molar crowns and Unitek
narrow bands cemented on the 1st molar crown samples had
equivalent or superior resistance to dislodgment compared with the
other bands in the study.
 Pediatric Dentistry: November/Decemb1e9r 93 - Volume 15

78.  When the inside of the band and the outside band-bearing
surfaces of selected crowns were lightly scored with a diamond
bur prior to cementation, samples exhibited significantly
superior retention.
 The mean values obtained using the roughened band~crown
interface technique compared favorably with retention values
from the literature for orthodontic bands cemented on
permanent molar and premolar teeth.

79. Microleakage of orthodontic band cement at the cement-enamel
and cement-band interfaces
Tancan Uysal, Sabri Ilhan Ramoglu, Huseyin Ertas, and Mustafa Ulker
Microleakage patterns of conventional glass ionomer cement
(GIC), resin modified GIC (RMGIC), and polyacid-modified
composite for band cementation was determined and compared.
Conventional GIC showed the highest leakage scores between
cement-band (median, 3.50 mm) and cement-enamel (median, 2.88
mm) interfaces. Teeth banded with RMGIC and modified
composite showed similar microleakage scores, and both had less
leakage (1 mm) than conventional GIC.
American journal of orthodontics and fixed orthopedics

80.  Resin addition to the cement formulation has facilitated light-
curing, allowing snap set and rapid strength development.
 Fricker( 2002) has suggested that RMGIC and conventional GIC
are preferred adhesives over modified composite for the
cementation of orthodontic molar bands because of the protection
against microleakage at the enamel-cement interface.
 Choi et al indicated that contraction stress generated during
placement of a resin-based composite contributes significantly to
early marginal leakage, and this stress was significantly absorbed
and relieved by the thicker application of adhesive
 RMGIC has got increased flouride release than conventional
GIC, hence decreasing the chances of demineralisation beneath
the band.

81. In vitro comparison of Orthodontic Band Cements
Declan T. Millett, Sheena Duff, Lynsey Morrison, Alistair Cummings, and W.
Harper Gilmour.
Mean retentive strength of microetched orthodontic bands
cemented to extracted human third molars with a modified
composite, a resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and a
conventional glass ionomer cement was compared.
RESULT was that the mean retentive strength of the modified
composite (0.415 MPa) was significantly less than that of either the
resin-modified (1.715 MPa) or the conventional glass ionomer
cement (1.454 MPa; P .001). Specimens failed predominantly at
the cement-enamel interface. Mean survival time of bands
cemented with resin modified glass ionomer was significantly
longer than for bands cemented with conventional glass ionomer
cement.
American journal of orthodontics and fixed orthopedics

82.  Fuji Ortho LC is a powder/liquid-based resin modified glass
ionomer cement that is marketed in encapsulated form. After
trituration for 10 seconds, the capsule is loaded into a customized
gun to allow dispensing the cement to the band-fitting surface.
 Setting is via a tricure reaction comprising an acid-base reaction of
the glass ionomer components, a free radical addition
polymerization reaction promoted by visible blue light, and self-
curing of the resin monomer.
 Ketac-Cem is a powder/liquid-based cement that sets initially by
an acid-base reaction when the components are mixed and later by
a cross-linking reaction.

83. CLINICAL PROCEDURE
First visit
Scaling of the tooth to be banded- localized prophylaxis to remove plaque ,
calculus and food debris
Customized band is first seated using finger pressure, then the band seater
Once completely seated the band is contoured to the tooth with the band
adapter. Eliminate all space between the band and the tooth
While using the band adapter protective finger rest is critical.
Impression is recorded with band in place

85. Band should not pull off with the impression- if it does it indicates poor
adaptaionBand is removed from the tooth by band remover, it is seated in the
impression and stabilized
Impression is poured with stone, bands are uncovered and model trimmed
Construction of the appliance

87. SECOND VISIT
Abutment tooth is again cleaned thoroughly with pumice slurry or prophy
cupRinse the appliance thoroughly
Appliance is tried in and necessary arrangements made
Appliance must be passive . There should be no need of manipulating the
wire components of the appliance to insert it
Abutment teeth is dried
GIC is mixed in luting consistency and applied around the tooth surface of
the band

88. Band is seated with finger pressure and then using band seater firmly
around the tooth
Immediately wipe away the excess cement with moist gauze
Adapt the band well to the grooves and contours of the tooth
Patient is asked to bite on cotton rolls, applying pressure on the band
until GIC sets

89. HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING
BANDING
 Do not use chewing gum or any sticky candy
 Oral hygiene instructions to be strictly followed
 Appliance checked after 6 months for loosening of the band,
breakage etc
 Should use over the counter flouride mouth rinse every night

90. CONCLUSION
 The success of fixed appliance therapy lies on the retention of
the appliance to the tooth.
 A thorough understanding on banding technique is required to
create a well contoured and adapted band that can stay for the
required period of time in child’s mouth.
 Also, modern preformed seamless bands have brought
improvements in ease and comfort of placement as well as in
esthetics and protection of the tooth.