From Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2015 | Pages 28-32
For many years, orthodontists have ligated brackets with wire or elastomeric ties. Much of our treatment planning and mechanics have been dictated by a mechanical system incorporating significant amounts of friction. This article will present a nearly friction free system using high-tech brackets and wires, which is claimed to reduce the need for auxiliary expanders significantly.
The first self-ligating brackets were introduced by Dr Jacob Stolzenberg in the early 1930s in the form of the Russell attachment.1 The advantage of all self-ligating brackets involves the reduction in ligation time by non-usage of materials such as elastomeric modules or steel ligatures. This leads to reduced friction when using sliding mechanics and low magnitude forces, resulting in fewer side-effects.2,3 For example, the Damon SL bracket has a second generation self-ligating archwire cover which slides vertically in an occlusal direction in the upper arch and in a gingival direction in the lower arch. When the cover is closed the slot is converted into a rectangular edgewise slot through which the archwire passes. The Damon system uses light forces to transmit archwire energy to the bracket without modification or binding by ligatures; it treats a significant number of cases by non-extraction when biologically possible and is compatible with dental and facial treatment goals.2
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