Damon Braces 101 By Your Lubbock, TX, Orthodontists

While many orthodontic patients still wear traditional metal braces these days, more and more are switching over to the self-ligating technology of Damon braces. Damon braces are the improved cousin of traditional metal braces, so some components are the same – specifically the brackets and archwire. Much like with traditional braces, your Lubbock, TX, orthodontist will place a Damon bracket to a specific spot on your tooth. The bracket is positioned in such as way that, when your treatment is complete, the archwire will appear perfectly straight.

How Are Damon Braces Different From Traditional Braces?

When a patient wears traditional metal braces, the archwire is attached to the brackets using tiny rubber bands called ligatures. These rubber bands place pressure on the brackets, so that your teeth slowly reposition themselves in the direction of the pressure. Rubber bands can have their drawbacks, however. They can snap or break easily, and the amount and direction of their pressure can be difficult to control precisely.

This is where Damon braces enter the picture. Instead of needing rubber bands, Damon braces have something called “self-ligating brackets.” In other words, the brackets attach themselves to the archwire without using rubber bands. The special mechanism that holds onto the archwire is able to control the amount of pressure placed on the bracket with far more precision than old rubber bands could.

What Are The Benefits of Self-Ligating Damon Braces?

When your self-ligating brackets are able to control the amount and direction of pressure placed on your tooth, this provides two key benefits to you:

1. Increased comfort – The amount of pressure can be fine-tuned from tooth to tooth, thanks to self-ligating brackets. This means your Lubbock, TX, orthodontist can reduce the pressure on teeth that don’t really need it, which also reduces your discomfort. You couldn’t do that with old rubber bands!
2. Faster treatment times – Because your Lubbock, TX, orthodontist has so much more control over the pressure placed on your individual self-ligating brackets, this means your teeth can follow a more precise path of movement. As a result, patients in Damon braces typically get to reduce their overall time in braces.

Damon braces can correct a wide variety of problems, some of which might even be causing speech impediments. Other problems may include crossbites, underbites, overbites, gaps, overcrowding, and more. If you believe that you or your child may benefit from Damon braces’ revolutionary self-ligating brackets, then call your Lubbock, TX, orthodontics office today to learn more!

Do You Want To Know More?

At St. Clair & Massey Orthodontics, we strive to provide a consultative approach for every patient. We want you to fully understand your treatment options before any work has begun, so you are confident in your choice in your treatment and your choice in our practice.

When you are ready to learn more about your or your child’s smile transformation, click here to schedule your 100% Complimentary St. Clair & Massey Smile Analysis ($250 value, completely free). We can’t wait to welcome you as a member of the St. Clair & Massey Orthodontics Family.

This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our orthodontics office in Lubbock, TX, would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.