Damon Braces

Dental braces are devices which are used to help align teeth and correct any problems with over or underbite. They can also be used to treat various flaws such as gaps and crowding. Traditional braces make use of metal arches and brackets placed on the front of the teeth to provide a small yet constant pressure which helps to move teeth gradually. However, new advances in dental technology are happening all the time and amongst the most cutting-edge treatments are Damon braces. As adults are increasingly turning to cosmetic dentistry many methods have been developed which provide the same effective treatment given by traditional braces, without the aesthetic issues. Damon braces are amongst the most popular alternatives to traditional braces and differ in several key ways to older methods of correction.

What are Damon Braces?

Damon braces use a different style of arch and brackets which make use of low friction mechanics. The Damon brace system makes use of a slide mechanism which helps avoid several problems associated with traditional braces such as binding and friction. This has several benefits including a much quicker treatment period and less follow up visits to your dentist. The slide method puts a lighter force onto your teeth, making the treatment a lot more comfortable but still maintaining the effective results which come with traditional braces. Damon braces are also 'self-ligating'. This means that, the elastics which provide tension (in order to gradually move the teeth) are replaced by the slide mechanism which can move teeth quicker and with less discomfort. Damon braces also have benefits from a hygiene perspective, as they attract less plaque than the elastics used in traditional braces.

Damon braces are made from a transparent ceramic material which has many advantages over earlier types of braces. In traditional methods, the metal brace is placed on the front surface of your teeth making it highly visible. With a Damon brace, although still visible, the ceramic material doesn't stain easily and won't show signs of wear and tear typical with several other types of 'invisible' brace. Whilst it's possible to use several types of discreet braces, the Damon system corrects teeth faster and can be used on more severe cases where other, less visible braces, wouldn't be suitable.

How are Damon braces fitted?

As opposed to other types of brace which need to be cemented in, Damon braces are fixed using glue which minimises any discomfort during fitting. If you require any teeth to be removed then it's typical to have this done prior to being fitted with Damon braces. The procedure takes around an hour and begins with your dentist gluing the brackets onto your teeth. Wires will then be placed into the brackets and safely secured through the use of very small clips. Immediately afterwards it's normal to feel a little tender at first due to the pressure exerted on your teeth. Some patients also experience ulcers on their cheeks or on the inside of their lips. However these are temporary and many patients report experiencing very little discomfort throughout the whole treatment period. After you have your Damon braces fitted you'll need to have regular follow up visits with your dentist in order to monitor your progress and make small adjustments to the braces. In traditional methods using conventional braces, these follow up appointments are much more regular than with Damon braces. Most patients only require a follow up visit every 10 weeks as opposed to every 4 weeks for traditional braces.

The results

Once you're satisfied with the new shape of your teeth you can arrange to have your braces removed. This is a short procedure which only takes around a quarter of an hour as the braces are designed to be easily removable. You should also find that any problems with crowding or gaps will also be corrected. Some patients report visible results in as little as 10 weeks after undergoing treatment and research shows that Damon braces generally achieve faster results than traditional methods. It's important to note you may still need to wear a retainer or extra headgear in order to apply extra pressure, although this isn't required as much when using Damon braces. Similarly, you may need teeth extracting before having your Damon braces fitted in order to provide a far-reaching solution to your orthodontic problems.