Self-Ligating Braces
When you have braces, small fixtures called brackets are attached to your teeth. A thin metal wire called an archwire runs through these brackets. The archwire is gradually adjusted to apply force, moving your teeth into the desired position.
For braces to work effectively, the archwire must remain secured in the brackets.
Traditional braces achieve this by using elastic bands or metal ties. In contrast, self-ligating braces use a system built into the bracket itself to hold the archwire.
Self-ligating braces vs. traditional braces
Self-ligating braces use a built-in system to secure the archwire to the brackets. You may also hear this system referred to as self-ligating brackets.
This ligation method is different from traditional braces, in which tiny elastic bands or metal ties are applied to the brackets to hold the archwire in place. These are called ligatures.
When discussing self-ligating braces, it’s important to know that there are actually two types of self-ligating brackets: active and passive. Both types use a small door or gate-like mechanism to close over the bracket:
Active brackets use a sliding spring clip mechanism. They press against the archwire, applying an active force.
Passive brackets use a simple sliding mechanism. Unlike active brackets, they don’t press on the archwire.
Do they need tightening?
Like with traditional braces, self-ligating braces still require periodic adjustments. During these adjustments, your orthodontist will evaluate your progress and may also adjust or replace your archwire.
Adjustments can modify the force placed on your teeth, helping them to gradually move into their new positions.
Are they comfortable or do they hurt?
Like traditional braces, self-ligating braces can lead to pain or discomfort. This may be particularly common after you first get them, or after you’ve had an adjustment appointment.
In some cases, self-ligating braces might cause less discomfort than traditional braces if the wearer ensures proper oral hygiene while wearing them.
Researchers found that while people with traditional braces reported more pain than those with self-ligating braces, this difference between the two wasn’t statistically significant.
Benefits of self-ligating braces
There are several potential benefits to using self-ligating braces. These include:
Shorter orthodontist visits. For traditional braces, individual ligatures must be replaced during an adjustment. Generally speaking, opening and shutting self-ligating brackets during an adjustment is less time consuming.
Easier cleaning. Ligatures can trap food particles in and around your brackets. The absence of ligatures in self-ligating braces may make them a little easier to clean.
Less discomfort. It’s possible that you might experience less discomfort with self-ligating braces than with traditional braces.
Is treatment with self-ligating braces faster or more effective?
It’s possible that self-ligating braces may speed up some aspects of treatment.
Contact us to discuss whether Self-Ligating braces are right for you!