A fixed appliance is the most common type of orthodontic brace. Most patients require the use of fixed orthodontic appliances to straighten their teeth and achieve the best possible improvement of their smile. As there are a few stages we go through to put your braces on, this will mean you may need to have more than one appointment. They can be used either after or at the same time as removable braces or functional braces. We tend to find that a fair number of patients benefit from more then one type of brace although most will have fixed braces.
A thin archwire is fitted to link up all the brackets. Because the teeth are irregular, the wire has to bend up and down or in and out between the teeth. This is the clever bit: the wire, a bi-product of NASA research, has perfect shape memory and will gradually return to its original shape, bringing the teeth with it. As treatment progresses, larger size wires and other wire materials are used. At this time, tiny springs and elastics guide the teeth.
Ceramic braces are much less obvious than traditional fixed metal braces because the brackets are made of a hard, polished ceramic. This ceramic blends in with the colour of your teeth and doesn’t stain, providing a discreet treatment option if you’re self-conscious about having orthodontic treatment. In some instances, it may be possible to consider an aesthetic wire to further reduce the visual impact of the ceramic braces. There are several types of ceramic brackets. A clear ceramic bracket with glass-like appearance allows your natural tooth colour to show through. Ceramic brackets are cemented to the teeth in the same way as metal brackets and with improved modern design they are now easily removed.
Ceramic braces are also one of the more affordable treatment options, making them extremely popular with our adult patients.
With fixed braces, there is no plastic in the roof of the mouth. This means speech is unaffected and the flavour of food can be enjoyed fully. As the appliance cannot be removed, it acts full-time, and so it is very effective.
Fixed braces are very good at achieving fine detail, and making your smile look really perfect! Fixed appliances, by definition, cannot be removed by the patient. The simplest way to think of each bracket is as a handle with which it is possible to control each tooth individually and precisely. After a full clinical assessment, we will advise if fixed braces are best for your teeth.
The Damon System is centred on passive self-ligating braces. These eliminate the need for elastic or metal “ties”, which means you can experience treatment without tightening. Instead, the sliding mechanism in the braces, which is used to hold the arch wires in place, responds to the movement of your teeth, gently guiding them into position. The light, high-technology, shape-memory wires used in Damon self-ligating braces also move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.
With fixed braces, there is no plastic in the roof of the mouth. This means speech is unaffected and the flavour of food can be enjoyed fully. As the appliance cannot be removed, it acts full-time, and so it is very effective.
Fixed braces are very good at achieving fine detail, and making your smile look really perfect! Fixed appliances, by definition, cannot be removed by the patient. The simplest way to think of each bracket is as a handle with which it is possible to control each tooth individually and precisely. After a full clinical assessment, we will advise if fixed braces are best for your teeth.
Treatment time with the Damon System is typically much faster than with conventional braces. Also, fewer appointments are required during treatment.
On the contrary, what makes the Damon System work so quickly is that it uses lighter, gentle forces than many traditional braces. The low friction nature of the system and the light force shape memory wires are designed to gently guide your teeth into their ideal position with less discomfort than traditional braces.
Very light "shape memory" titanium wires are used that gently guide your teeth to their ideal position. Many people experience very little discomfort.
Not any more! Braces are smaller than they were just a few years ago, and new options like Damon Clear can help make them more discreet than the metal braces you may remember. Damon Braces have a small bracket size and profile with smooth, rounded corners designed for both aesthetics and patient comfort.
It's not too late! Healthy adults can often be treated just as easily as children. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists today about 1 in 5 patients is an adult. Many patients are treated into their 60s, 70s and beyond.
*Many patients seek treatment even if they had braces in their youth. If you're looking into treatment as an adult be sure to consider Damon Braces. In a consumer survey, over 70% of consumer who had previously undergone Orthodontic treatment stated they would have preferred to have received a Damon smile when shown a picture.***American Association of Orthodontists**Source: Propeller Research, “Healthy Smile IQ” poll of 1,011 US consumers, September 14–17, 2019.Clinical images courtesy of Dr. Stuart Frost.
We know that cost is a big question for anyone considering braces. The truth is, only your doctor can determine the cost for your specific treatment. It depends a lot on the kind of treatment you need and how long it will take. Damon Braces are usually similar to the cost of traditional braces. We will help you find options to make your treatment affordable. We offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans, many with no down payment and no interest. We also offer third party patient financing program.
Because medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, you should review your policy coverage. If you have Orthodontic coverage, Damon System braces are covered to the same extent as regular braces.
We will help you find options to make your treatment affordable. we offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans, many with no down payment and no interest.
We also offer third party patient financing programs specifically designed for healthcare expenses, making it easier for you to get the treatment or procedures you want and need.
