Imagine having smaller, less apparent brackets that are easier to clean, fewer office visits and braces that are more comfortable to wear. Well, you can have it all. Damon® braces were introduced in the 1990s to make the overall orthodontic experience more pleasant, and they are available at iClear Orthodontics. If you live in the Atlanta area and are interested in using Damon® braces to get your dream smile, visit (LINK) board-certified orthodontists Dr. Ruchir Patel and Dr. Kal Thakkar at one of their Alpharetta, Roswell or Kennesaw locations.
Damon® braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but look slightly different and use a newer technology for moving the teeth and bite. Damon® braces have smaller brackets than conventional metal braces and use a slide mechanism that opens and closes to attach the arch wires to the brackets. The slide mechanism moves naturally with the teeth as the teeth are realigned. No elastic bands or ligature bands are used. The slide mechanism is set to move your teeth gradually over time, which means that fewer orthodontist appointments are needed than with other types of braces.
Traditional braces systems use static brackets and metal or elastic ligatures to hold arch wires in place. The ligatures bind the teeth and use a high force during periodic adjustments to move the teeth into place. Damon® braces are different because the doors on the self-litigating brackets prevent the archwires from pressing against the teeth. Damon® braces use lightweight shape memory titanium archwires that slide within the brackets to move your teeth. The wires are not manually shaped to fill your mouth. They are flexible when inserted and heat up with your body’s temperature as your teeth gradually move into a straight position. The arch wires continually pull the teeth into the correct alignment using your body’s natural gravitational forces. Because the position of your teeth is changing gradually, Damon® braces can be more comfortable to wear than other types of braces.
Although Damon® braces are relatively new on the orthodontia scene, Damon® braces offer many benefits to patients including:
Appearance – Damon® braces have smaller brackets than traditional braces making Damon® braces less noticeable. The lack of ties makes the braces less bulky looking since the brackets lay flatter against patients’ teeth. Comfort – The Damon® system does not put as much friction on the teeth as traditional braces. The constant movement versus intermittent adjustments and higher forces made with braces minimizes pressure and leads to a more comfortable experience. Less friction also helps avoid erosion and tooth deterioration. Hygiene – The smaller brackets and lack of ties mean fewer places for plaque and bacteria to accumulate. Office Visits – Damon® braces are set to self-adjust, so the braces are constantly working. Patients with busy schedules appreciate being able to wait longer between appointments and fewer office visits.
Damon® braces are available in both stainless steel and clear ceramic materials. The ceramic finish is often preferable because it is less noticeable. However, like other types of ceramic braces, ceramic Damon® braces are used solely on the upper teeth and are better for patients who do not have severe bite issues. Because Damon® braces do not use rubber bands or ligatures, patients do not have to worry about any components of their ceramic braces staining.
Innovative Damon® braces have been effectively used on patients of all ages including children, teens and adults. If you or a family member is experiencing overcrowding, gaps or bite issues, Damon® braces may be a solution.
Some reports indicate that Damon® braces require less treatment time than other types of braces. At the end of the day, however, the length of your treatment will really depend upon the complexity of your particular orthodontic issues. Following treatment with Damon® braces, retainers will need to be worn at night to ensure that your treatment results last.
Damon® braces tend to be more expensive than traditional metal braces. The cost will depend on factors, such as whether the braces are placed on one or both arches and the complexity of the required orthodontic work.
Dental insurance sometimes covers a portion or the full cost of Damon® braces, so it is important to check your policy’s coverage. If you have Flexible Spending Account dollars available through your employer, your pre-tax dollars can be applied to the cost of Damon® braces.
To give all patients access to quality orthodontic treatment, iClear Orthodontics offers many payment plans to help make Damon® braces more affordable. iClear Orthodontics offers interest-free in-house financing which divides the total cost of treatment into reasonable monthly payments for the duration of your treatment.
Options also exist to extend payments beyond your treatment period. In addition to traditional credit cards, iClear Orthodontics accepts CareCredit® cards that extend financing up to 60 months with a reduced APR and fixed monthly payments. Customizable OrthoFi is available to design a flexible payment plan. With OrthoFi, you are able to select the down payment and ongoing monthly payment amounts.
Braces technology keeps getting better and better. If you live in the Greater Atlanta area and want to learn more about how state-of-the-art Damon® braces can help you or a family member take your smile to the next level, contact iClear Orthodontics, conveniently located in Alpharetta, Roswell, and Kennesaw for a complimentary consultation.
