Background: Direct orthodontic bracket bonding consumes significantly more chairside time in comparison to indirect bonding. The primary drawback of indirect bonding is incomplete penetration of the curing light through transfer trays, leading to bracket bond failure. The primary objective in a clinical setting is to minimize the chairside time. This technique of indirect bonding reduces chairside time, is economical, utilizes minimum armamentarium, and provides adequate light penetration and accuracy.
Technique: Impressions were made, casts were poured and marked for the desired bracket position as per MBT prescription. Bonding agent was used to stabilize the brackets on the working model. A 3D printing pen and polylactic acid (PLA) filament were used to fabricate transfer trays for indirect bonding. The tray with brackets held in the desired position was transferred to the oral cavity and cured.
Conclusions: Fabrication of complete or partial transfer trays for indirect bonding using PLA with the help of a 3D printing pen is a precise, easy-to-use, economical, and reliable method that reduces chairside time.
Clinical significance: When compared with other methods of indirect bonding, the PLA transfer tray made with a 3D printing pen was easy to fabricate with brackets held firmly in the tray for a precisely desired position. The tray fit snugly and permitted light curing of composite from all surfaces of brackets and removal of flash. This method significantly reduced the overall time of the indirect bonding procedure.
Keywords: 3D printing; Bonding; Indirect bonding Polylactic acid (PLA)..