What is the Damon System?
The Damon System is a type of low friction orthodontics. Its main characteristic is the absence of ligatures to hold the wires inside the brackets, which allows the teeth to move freely towards the correct position in a faster and more comfortable way.
The traditional orthodontic system often requires the removal of healthy teeth and the use of auxiliary appliances in order to open up space. This, besides being uncomfortable, is a long process that can result in a narrow oral arch, with an unaesthetic facial profile.
The Damon System allows the teeth to be well positioned with less friction and with a shorter treatment time.
and with a shorter treatment time.
Why is it performed?
In general, the Damon System is indicated for all patients who require orthodontics or who wish to modify the position of their teeth to achieve a perfect smile. However, it will always be more advisable for patients who can avoid extractions, achieve a wide smile, avoid absorption in the dental roots and an aesthetic improvement in the features.
What does it consist of?
Damon System brackets are activated by a system of small tabs integrated into the bracket. These receive the tension of the archwire without the need for ligatures. This makes it more comfortable for the patient.
The Damon system consists of three components that, combined, achieve a reduction in treatment time:
- Damon passive self-ligating brackets, which eliminates the need for elastic or metal ligatures that produce tension.
- Lightweight archwires with shape memory, which allow teeth to move more quickly, without the need for many adjustments.
- New treatment style, which improves facial aesthetics and dental position, without the need for extractions or surgery.
In this type of orthodontics, teeth move more smoothly, with almost no friction between the brackets and the archwire that pushes them. This means that there is less pressure exerted on the tooth and the patient suffers less discomfort. The fact that they do not have ligatures also means fewer visits to the specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology, since patients with normal brackets usually come to change them regularly when they lose elasticity.
In addition, Damon orthodontics is very fast. Avoiding friction results in a shorter treatment time than with conventional brackets and archwires. Some comparative studies estimate that there is an average reduction of six months in treatment.
On the other hand, the brackets used in the Damon System also have the advantage of being more hygienic, since they have fewer surfaces where food debris can remain, which facilitates tooth brushing.
Preparation for the Damon System
No specific preparation is required to undergo Damon System orthodontics. However, the dental specialist will perform all the necessary tests prior to its application: X-rays and personalized dental studies, to assess whether the Damon System is the best alternative for the patient.
Care after the Damon System
Once the Damon system orthodontics is in place, care is typical of any orthodontics: take special care of oral hygiene and visit the dentist periodically to check that the whole process is being carried out correctly. It is important to note that, unlike with traditional orthodontics, visits to the dentist with the Damon system are more spaced out over time, since it does not require tightening the pieces or brackets.
Once the period wearing the brackets is over, the patient must strictly follow the specialist’s recommendations to prevent the teeth from returning to their original place.
Alternatives to this treatment
The alternatives to the Damon System are all the other orthodontics available, both conventional and invisible orthodontics, lingual orthodontics, interceptive orthodontics or Invisalign, among others.