Safe orthodontic bonding for children with disabilities during general anaesthesia

General anaesthesia (GA) may be employed to overcome management difficultie s in the orthodontic treatment of disabled children. This report introduces the application of a rubber dam as a useful aid for a high quality bonding and as an effective safeguard in bonding of brackets in general anaesthesi a, in the handicapped in particular. GA was used in 12 patients, of a cohor t of 49 disabled patients, to facilitate the placing of the fixed appliance . The first seven were bonded solely with the use of an oropharyngeal pack and a high velocity suction to prevent aspiration, and the last five additi onally underwent placement of a rubber dam. The use of a rubber dam to faci litate the safe and reliable bonding of orthodontic brackets in handicapped children under general anaesthesia is highly recommended.