There are many options for orthodontic treatment nowadays, from traditional braces to Invisalign. An option you may not be as familiar with is self-ligating braces. If you’ve heard  words like doors or clips when describing your orthodontic treatment timeline, you probably have some questions about self-ligating braces. 

Self-ligating braces are an excellent alternative now offered to traditional braces. These braces were invented by Dwight Damon, and have numerous benefits including less pressure, unrestrained movement, and of course, a beautiful smile after treatment. 

What is Ligation?

So after hearing that self-ligating braces may be an option for your treatment, you may be wondering what exactly ligation means. In orthodontics, ligation refers to the attachment of an archwire to a bracket. The archwire is the wire that spans the top or bottom teeth connected to each bracket. 

With traditional braces, the archwire is what the colored rubber bands, called ligatures, hold into place. Self-ligating braces simply omit the elastic ligature. This affixation of the wire to the bracket is orthodontic ligation. The words door or clip in this context refer to how Damon self-ligating brackets affix the wire to each tooth. 

What’s the Difference Between Active and Passive Ligation?

There are two methods of ligation, active and passive. There is no real advantage to having one or the other for brackets. So, we will give a brief description of both types of self-ligating systems. 

• Active self-ligating brackets utilize a spring and clip mechanism to secure the archwire and apply force onto it for tooth movement and occlusion adjustment. 
• Passive self-ligating brackets do not place pressure on the archwire through springs, and instead, use a self-sliding mechanism to facilitate tooth movement. 

Damon braces are passive self-ligating brackets. 

What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Self-Ligating Braces? 

The biggest difference between traditional and self-ligating braces is the more discreet nature of self-ligating braces. The colorful elastics of traditional braces are unnecessary with self-ligating treatment. These braces are smaller, which helps them be more invisible.

Self-ligating braces apply less pressure to your teeth during correction. This leads to healthier tissue and bone surrounding the teeth during treatment. The structure of self-ligating braces allows for more influence over complex and detailed movements by your orthodontist, and in the long run is proven to reduce the need for extractions, headgear, and expanders. The sliding and spring pressure self-ligating offer mean the wires and brackets continue movement between appointments and allow for more unrestrained movement of the teeth. 

Self-ligating braces could be the option for you! Talk to your orthodontist to learn more.