ABSTRACT
Despite the widespread use of bonded brackets and molar tubes, conventional stainless steel bands still have a place in clinical orthodontics, particularly for second bicuspid, first and second molar teeth. Bonded tubes on molar teeth have a high failure rate (33.7%) compared to conventional bands (18.8%).1 While a number of orthodontists currently bond all teeth including second molars, in many cases the reliability of well-banded molars still provides the clinician with a comfort zone knowing that all molar attachments are well secured throughout treatment.
