After preparing the tooth for bonding brackets, where is the sealant placed?

The correct choice reflects the procedure for bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth, which involves applying a sealant directly onto the tooth surface. This step is crucial because the sealant helps to create a strong bond between the tooth and the bracket.

The sealant is often a composite resin that adheres effectively to both the enamel of the tooth and the bonding agent used for the bracket. Proper placement of the sealant directly on the tooth ensures that it forms a secure connection that can withstand the forces applied during orthodontic treatment.

Other options, such as placing the sealant on the bracket itself, would not facilitate the desired adhesion to the tooth and could compromise the effectiveness of the brackets during treatment. Similarly, applying sealant to the arch wire or ligature does not pertain to the bonding process of brackets and would serve no purpose in ensuring the brackets remain securely fixed to the teeth. Thus, placing the sealant on the tooth is the appropriate and technically correct practice in this context.