Self-ligating braces without ligatures

Self-ligating braces have high aesthetic performance and reduce the number of visits to the orthodontist by the patient. The key difference between the designs and traditional models with ligatures is the closed locking mechanism. When closed, the lock turns the groove into a tube. The arc is securely fixed in the groove, straightens, but at the same time slides without obstacles.

The material was verified by Anna Rimkevich, senior product manager at Ormco Russia.

The innovative mechanics of the Damon self-ligating brace system in the hands of an experienced doctor can reduce trauma and provide predictable treatment results in a short time. The effectiveness of passive self-ligation, high-tech arches and a minimally invasive treatment protocol has been proven by scientific laboratory tests and in practice by orthodontists.

Appliances without ligatures first appeared in the 1930s, and the first Damon self-ligating braces appeared in 1996. Since then, the designs have been improved every year by doctors, inventors and scientists. There is a large selection of Ormco ligature-free systems on the market: Damon Q, 3MX, Clear, etc. With each new generation, the models become sleeker, more technologically advanced and safer for the patient.

arch in the groove of the Damon Q2 self-ligating bracket

What are self-ligating braces?

The operating principle of a non-ligature construction is easiest to understand if you compare it with a ligature construction.

Classic ligature braces: clasps are fixed on the surface of each tooth and connected to each other by an orthodontic arch. The clasps and arch are attached to each other with fasteners - ligatures. They can be special rubber bands or wires. These elements gradually move the teeth and bite into the position specified by the orthodontist. This happens due to the teeth overcoming the frictional force. The disadvantage of ligatures is that during the treatment they need to be changed frequently, as they stretch, cease to perform their function, plus they lose their original aesthetic appearance - they change color.

To make orthodontic treatment more comfortable for the patient, manufacturers of dental corrective structures have developed braces without ligatures. They differ from classic ligature ones in the way the clasps and arches are connected: the latches in them are replaced with special latched covers built directly into the clasps themselves. It turns out that the locks seem to be strung on an arc, and not attached to it with “clothespins”.

During treatment with ligature-free braces, the frequency of visits to the dentist is reduced: the fixing elements in them do not fail, so the structure needs to be adjusted much less frequently.

Self-regulating braces design reviews

From my own experience, I can say that for the majority of patients, adaptation is quick and painless. After getting used to it, there are no problems with cleaning and eating. All patients are satisfied with the results of the treatment, except for those cases when people think that they overpaid for the design and it was not worth the money. Regarding this, I can say one thing: all designs have their place in modern orthodontics, and choosing a budget design is not always the worst option. At the LeaderStom clinic, our specialists will advise you on any issue on this or any other topic, and will also give you back a beautiful smile.

Wearing ligature and non-ligature braces: what is the difference?

Both types of structures effectively perform their task - correct the pathology of teeth closure, return teeth to the anatomically correct position. But for the patient, the process of wearing them will be different.

Non-ligature designs look neater, “lighter”, more inconspicuous: they have no additional elements, and the clasps themselves are smaller.
Caring for self-ligating systems is much easier: metal and rubber ligatures often contain food fragments and need to be cleaned more thoroughly and for longer.
The main difference we have already mentioned is the frequency of correction. When wearing classic ligature braces, you need to visit the orthodontist every three to four weeks, and when wearing non-ligature braces - every six to eight weeks. For many patients, this is a decisive moment when choosing an orthodontic system.

Photos of treatment stages on self-ligating braces

Indications for installation

Braces therapy is performed strictly for medical reasons. These are:

crowding of elements of the dentition or, on the contrary, gaps between them;
incorrect vector of tooth growth (rotation and (or) tilt);
moving one of the jaws (or both) forward, backward or to the side;
uneven development of the jaws;
incomplete closure of the dentition.

Important: treatment of occlusion disorders is prescribed by a doctor after a visual examination and diagnostics using a hardware method. Depending on the characteristics of a particular clinical case, the specialist recommends one or another type of brace system for correction.

What materials are ligature-free braces made from?

Locks for self-ligating structures are made from the same materials as for classic ligature braces - metal, ceramics and artificial sapphires.

Metal self-ligating braces

They are the easiest to install and remove. These durable, reliable systems correct all malocclusion pathologies and effectively move teeth into the desired position. Cheaper than designs made from other materials, therefore popular with patients.

Self-ligating ceramic braces

They are made from durable white dental ceramics in different shades, so they look more attractive than metal ones. The clasps of such systems are invisible, since the ceramics merge with the tooth enamel. The only noticeable detail is the orthodontic arch. They have one drawback - fragility compared to structures made from other materials.

Sapphire self-ligating braces

Like ceramic ones, they are almost invisible on the teeth. They are, of course, not made from natural sapphires - otherwise their price would be very high. During production, a transparent artificial material is used, the characteristics of which are identical to sapphires. They reflect light and make your smile really sparkle. Sapphire braces are more often used in the treatment of complex malocclusion pathologies; they are stronger than ceramic ones.

Metal or sapphire

Self-ligating brackets today are made of metal or polycrystalline aluminum oxide (synthetic sapphire). Both of these materials have their pros and cons. Thus, the metal has higher strength and allows treatment to be completed in a shorter time. Also, the doctor can change the arches in a higher sequence, and also use steel arches. They are distinguished by high rigidity, plasticity, and the ability to form bends and loops of the desired configuration. Also, steel arches are very affordable.

Sapphire products require more careful handling. Replacement of arcs is done more delicately, using super-elastic products made of nitinol (an alloy of nickel and titanium), an alloy of nitinol and copper. However, for the patient, sapphire braces are always preferable. They are almost invisible, transparent, very smooth and stylish. This allows you to eliminate the psychological discomfort associated with wearing an unaesthetic metal system.

Aesthetic system without ligatures - what is it?

It is widely believed that non-ligature braces are a type of aesthetic system. In fact, this is only partly true.

Aesthetic self-ligating braces include ceramic and sapphire designs. Metal ones, although they look more attractive than ligature systems due to small locks, can hardly be called aesthetic. They look neat, but are much more noticeable than designs made of ceramics and artificial sapphires.

Also, aesthetic non-ligature braces include lingual systems - they are attached to the “lingual”, inner surface of the teeth. Such designs are invisible and are often chosen by public people.

The only drawback of non-ligature aesthetic systems is their high price. In order to reduce it, dentists combine materials: in the frontal zone, sapphire or ceramic clasps are fixed on the upper teeth, and metal ones on the lower jaw, chewing teeth.

Reviews

Alesya Ramonyuk

I contacted Empire to straighten my teeth. I have long heard about self-ligating braces and their advantages. I was ready to spend the necessary amount of money to install them. The doctor offered me several options for different budgets. I chose ceramic ones. The fastening process was quite easy, without pain. The dentist performed the procedure very professionally, while still managing to joke and encourage, which I especially liked. Each visit was comfortable, all my questions were answered. A year later I got the smile of my dreams, for which I thank this dentistry.

Main brands of self-ligating non-ligating braces

Popular brands of non-ligation systems include Damon, Clarity, Experience, In Ovation, H4.

Damon.

Perhaps the most famous brand of braces without ligatures. Its product line includes designs to solve any problems with bite and misalignment of teeth. The main advantage of these American systems is the damper mount developed by the company. It simplifies the archwire replacement process and reduces correction time.

Experience.

Japanese non-ligature designs, characterized by the small size of the clasps and their structure. Each clasp fits very tightly to the tooth enamel. Plus Experience controls the movement of each tooth.

Clarity SL.

Damon's main competitors. They are made of ceramic, but the groove in their clasps is made of stainless steel. This guarantees smooth sliding of the arc, as in metal systems. At the same time, they are classified as aesthetic systems, since they are invisible on the teeth. Treatment duration with Clarity SL is typically reduced by 25%. However, it all depends on the clinical picture.

In Ovation C.

These are ceramic non-ligature structures from the American company DENTSPLY. These systems are designed to prevent incorrect fixation. In Ovation C clasps are 100% protected from discoloration during wear - for this, the manufacturer coated them with a layer of zirconium dioxide.

H4.

Another self-ligating braces made in America. They are distinguished by a low profile of the locks and a minimum size of the groove for the orthodontic arch. Allows better control of treatment at the final stage.

Alternative to self-ligating design

An alternative to a self-ligating design is ligature braces. The word “ligature” comes from the Latin word “ligature” - a ligament. The arch is tightly fixed to each bracket using ligatures and, due to “shape memory,” pulls the teeth in the desired direction. “Classic” models correct various malocclusion pathologies: from anomalies in the position of individual teeth to complex complex cases.

metal ligature braces Mini Diamond

There are wire and elastic ligatures. Wire structures fix the arc as tightly as possible. They are more reliable, but provide worse sliding. Elastics are made from rubber and caoutchouc in various colors. Elastic materials tend to stretch, can sometimes tear and require regular replacement.

Comparison of self-ligating and ligature braces

Depending on the method of fixing the arch sliding in the grooves of the braces, ligature and non-ligature (self-ligating) systems are distinguished.

self-ligating Damon Q2 and Orthos ligature braces

Let's compare self-ligating and ligature models.

1. Method of fixing the arc. In “classical” systems, the arch is held in place by ligatures, and in non-ligature systems, by a lid or clip.

arc in groove Damon Clear

2. Material of manufacture. Ligature and non-ligature devices are made from various materials. Here are some examples:

Damon Clear2 self-ligating ceramic braces;
metal Damon Q, 3MX;
ligature Inspire Ice made from artificially grown sapphire;
in the manufacture of Orthos and Mini Diamond, the material used is stainless steel;
Titanium Orthos are made of titanium.

sapphire ligatures Inspire ICE

The choice depends on the clinical case, preferences and financial capabilities of the patient.

3. Price. The cost depends on a number of factors.

The presence of a mechanism for closing/opening the lid or clip. Due to the complexity of manufacturing, the price of non-ligature self-ligating braces is higher than that of devices with ligatures.
Materials of manufacture: for example, ceramic ones are more expensive than steel ones.
Areas of fixation: vestibular, on the outer surface, or lingually, on the inner surface of the dentition. The cost of lingual ones is higher.

4. Duration of treatment. “Classic” devices are worn on average from 2 to 3.5 years. Without ligature – 20–30% less. Bite correction with Dimon can reduce the number of visits and the overall duration of treatment by several months. The period is different for each person. The doctor indicates the approximate period of time after calculating the diagnostic models and the patient’s TRG.

5. Discomfort during treatment . The Damon self-ligating brace system brings less discomfort to the patient due to the work of low forces and reduced friction. In addition, pain sensations depend on individual characteristics: pain threshold and jaw anomalies to be corrected.

6. Treatment effectiveness. Non-ligature structures are capable of correcting clinical cases of varying levels of complexity, gently and carefully building the correct bite. Appliances with ligatures also correct complex jaw anomalies. However, self-ligating braces reduce the time required for bite correction and provide a long retention period.

7. Care. Oral hygiene with ligature devices is more difficult. Food gets stuck between the bracket, archwire, and elastics, and cleaning the system takes longer. If the patient neglects careful hygiene, multiple caries lesions and periodontal diseases are possible. Because of this, additional therapeutic treatment may be required after the structure is removed.

8. Adaptation. Getting used to any type of device is not easy in some cases. A foreign object appears in the oral cavity, which, of course, interferes. Adaptation to the non-ligation system is easier due to the small size and atraumatic shape of the elements. The absence of additional elements in the form of ligatures also makes it easier to get used to.

How are ligature-free systems installed?

The process of fixing self-ligating non-ligature structures is no different from installing classical ligature systems.

Before fixing the structure, a full examination of the oral cavity is carried out; sometimes, to achieve the desired result of orthodontic treatment, teeth are removed and dentures are installed. All carious lesions must be removed and professional cleaning carried out.
Locks of the chosen design are fixed to the teeth. This happens with the help of dental glue. This is the most critical stage: incorrectly installed locks will negatively affect the duration and quality of treatment.
If necessary, the remaining glue is removed, and the clasps are finally secured to the teeth using a lamp with ultraviolet light.
On the side, on the chewing teeth, orthodontic rings and locks are fixed.
All installed locks are connected to each other by means of an orthodontic arch, which is fixed in their grooves.

Installation of the system takes about one hour. But the preparatory stage may well last for several weeks or even months - it all depends on the initial condition of the patient’s oral cavity.

Which braces to choose - with or without ligatures?

Non-ligature braces look more aesthetically pleasing than classic ligature braces, reduce the number of visits to the orthodontist, correct the bite faster, move teeth more gently, and can be used for periodontal diseases. Thanks to the design of self-ligating systems, the process of their correction takes fifteen to twenty minutes. In addition, the absence of ligatures protects against pain that can occur if the orthodontist “tightens” the ligature.

The disadvantage of self-ligating structures is their high price. Apparently, for this reason, classic ligature systems are still very popular. They are especially often chosen by teenagers and young people, who, in addition to saving money, receive another bonus - the opportunity to experiment with the color of the ligatures, making their braces unique, emphasizing their individuality.

In general, when choosing an orthodontic system, doctors and patients are guided by two principles - the ability to effectively get rid of malocclusion pathology and the ability to pay for treatment. Both ligature and non-ligature constructions allow you to achieve the desired result.

Treatment with orthodontist Irina Butorina

Enjoy the benefits of modern ligature-free braces! The world's leading manufacturers of orthodontic products are now working to improve the aesthetics and comfort level of braces. Self-ligating systems are an important step in this direction. You can undergo diagnostics and correct your bite using a sapphire, ceramic or metal self-ligating system from orthodontist Irina Butorina . An experienced doctor will help you choose a system that will suit you at a price and meet your aesthetic requirements. Sign up for a consultation by phone or using a special form on the website.

If you are interested in the offer, you can sign up for a free consultation right now.