Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces are a different type of metal brace designed to make braces treatment faster and more comfortable...
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Self-ligating braces are a different type of metal brace designed to make braces treatment faster and more comfortable.
Self-ligating braces look like fixed metal, and clear braces. Brackets are bonded to the front surface of your teeth and a thin arch wire is threaded through the brackets to connect them.
The self-tightening system combined with advanced technology heat-activated wires mean that the process of aligning teeth is relatively gentle.
In terms of outward appearance, self-ligating braces are much the same as conventional styles in that they use a bracket and wire system. However, the modern technology used means that no elastic bands or metal ties are required to keep the straightening archwire in place.
Where fixed braces use elastic bands around the brackets, self-ligating brackets have a small clip mechanism which holds the arch wire in place. The elastic bands on fixed braces can cause friction which could result in longer treatment times, but as these elastic bands aren’t needed with self-ligating braces treatment times can be significantly shorter.
With traditional brackets, patients usually experience pain or discomfort after each adjustment, but self-ligating braces are constantly adjusting at a much more steady pace.
The clip mechanism on self-ligating braces also gives the arch wire slightly more freedom to respond to the movement of your teeth making self-ligating braces a tailor-made and very comfortable orthodontic treatment.
Self-ligating braces are suitable for both adults and children. However, there are limitations to the kinds of orthodontic cases that can be treated with these braces.
