Bonding and debonding brackets to porcelain and gold

Today's orthodontic practice includes a larger proportion of adults. Because many of these adults have crown and bridge restorations fabricated from porcelain or gold, the orthodontist must use methods that permit the attachment of orthodontic brackets to porcelain and nonprecious metal or gold. A bracket may be placed on single-unit crowns of porcelain or gold, but banding becomes difficult. Thus bonding the orthodontic bracket to the restoration provides a satisfactory alternative. This clinical report describes several techniques for bonding orthodontic brackets to porcelain or gold surfaces, and some suggestions for removal of bonded brackets.