Smart clip braces
Individuals thinking about getting braces may have never heard of self ligating braces before. However, self-ligating brackets can go by many names such as smart clip braces, self-ligating ceramic braces, and many others. What people are really wondering is do these smart clip braces work and what is the difference between self ligating braces vs regular braces and how do self ligating braces work? Are conventional braces better? What do self ligating braces cost versus traditional braces? And perhaps biggest of all,how do self-ligating braces work in the first place?
Conventional braces or self-ligating braces
Before we start answering these questions, it’s always important to check with the professional medical community and see what the experts say about these innovative orthodontic braces.
Orthodontists report that more and more patients are requesting self ligating ceramic braces, and they have continued to gain popularity over the past several decades (Chen SS et al.,2010). Many people appreciate the speed of these innovative braces for adults, this can be a definite added bonus.
Some claim that patients who use self ligating ceramic braces tend to have shortened chair times in the orthodontist’s office (Chen SS et al.,2010). That’s because the braces do a lot of the work and it is easier to maintain them.
Another advantage of self-ligating braces over the other types appears to be the slightly better treatment for front incisors that stick out, a condition otherwise known as buck teeth (Chen SS et al.,2010).
Self-ligating braces
As you can see, a consensus has been building for some time that self ligating braces may well be the next wave of the future of orthodontics, and could possibly even replace traditional metal braces entirely. But what are self-ligating braces and how do they differ from conventional braces?
Self-ligating braces basically have only one major difference between themselves and their traditional counterparts, and that is instead of utilizing bands such as the colored bands that children enjoy, self-ligating braces have a simple clip or latch system that allows for tightening and loosening.
How do self-ligating braces work?
This latch system comes with many different benefits which people are continuing to realize as the technology continues to develop and gain popularity. One of the major benefits is that they do not need to be adjusted as often as more traditional braces do. Also, the bands that connect the jaws together for bite correction in more traditional braces need to be replaced two times a day, and depending on the individual, occasionally more. This is a lot of sticking your fingers in your mouth and attaching different orthodontic bands. Traditional braces also use small elastics to help keep the wires in place which are attached by your orthodontist near me at each visit.
Self-ligating braces utilize a simple gate and latch system which means that there will be less finagling inside your mouth which anybody who has dealt with orthodontics knows is not a small problem. Not having to attach or unattach things often can be a great boost to many individuals, especially if they are often out in public as replacing bands can sometimes be unseemly. One of the other benefits is cleanliness.
Self-ligating braces vs regular braces
While more traditional braces utilize the band system, they are not terribly convenient to clean. Oftentimes it is easiest to brush when the rubber bands are off but even when they are, access can sometimes be restrictive with traditional metal braces or ceramic braces. Food, plaque buildup, and other things can often build up in and around your orthodontic brackets and in the mechanism themselves. However,self ligating braces help remove part of that problem by simply providing greater access.
What’s So Great About Self-ligating braces Photo by Monstera from Pexels
Self-ligating ceramic braces
With the ability to open up the clip,your dentist can have access to cleaning certain areas of your braces and brackets that are otherwise inaccessible or difficult to reach when utilizing more traditional braces. For this reason alone many people are turning to the self ligating braces as a great alternative to traditional braces. You can get the brackets in metal, clear, or ceramic, so you can have convenience as well of near invisible treatment.
Plus the lower profile of the self ligating braces mean you get less friction from the brackets on your gums, so they are more comfortable.
Smart clips braces
One of the last major benefits of
There are three major types of braces, namely traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and lingual braces. These types have their advantages and disadvantages and as such are popular with different types of people, depending on their needs and circumstances.
For example, traditional metal braces are the cheapest of the groups of braces and so might be the right option for people whose highest concern is the cost. Additionally, children and teenagers who may not necessarily care about the high visibility of traditional metal braces will opt for these because of the option of getting their bands in different colors.
For those who don’t like the high visibility of traditional metal braces, and want to minimize costs, then ceramic braces are viable option.Finally, lingual braces are ones that are installed behind the teeth and so the high visibility problem is mitigated.These braces work using a system of brackets and wires to move the teeth.
In addition to the aforementioned types, orthodontists may also offer self ligating braces which work very similarly to the metal and ceramic braces in that they use brackets and wires to move the teeth. The difference, however, is that self ligating braces use clips to hold the wires in place rather than rubber bands. spent at the orthodontic office and give you greater free time even while still getting the same quality of orthodontic care.
What You Need to Know About Self Igating Braces Cost
What is the cost though when it comes to self ligating braces? Generally speaking the good news is that self ligating braces will run in a very similar price range to traditional metal braces. Self ligating braces have a wide range and can be anywhere between $2,000 and $7,000 depending on your particular needs, but will most likely fall between the $3,000 and $4,000 range. That makes them entirely comparable to more traditional metal braces.
So while you get a significant increase in comfort, cleaning convenience, and less time spent at the orthodontic office, you are not actually seeing a significant increase in price as the treatment methods are nearly identical and self ligating braces add additional access. This could be great for individuals who wanted the convenience, the speed, and the reduced times at the orthodontic office but did not want to necessarily spend significantly more for those benefits.
Self-ligating bracket
Meeting with your orthodontic office will help you to figure out whether self ligating braces are a great option for you or not. While self ligating braces are becoming more and more popular, having a free consultation with your orthodontic office will help you to know whether you will be a good candidate and whether self ligating braces are the perfect fit for you.
Summary:
There are three major types of braces, namely traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and lingual braces. These types have their advantages and disadvantages and as such are popular with different types of people, depending on their needs and circumstances.
For example, traditional metal braces are the cheapest of the groups of braces and so might be the right option for people whose highest concern is the cost. Additionally, children and teenagers who may not necessarily care about the high visibility of traditional metal braces will opt for these because of the option of getting their bands in different colors.
For those who don’t like the high visibility of traditional metal braces, and want to minimize costs, then ceramic braces are viable option.Finally, lingual braces are ones that are installed behind the teeth and so the high visibility problem is mitigated.These braces work using a system of brackets and wires to move the teeth.
Reference:
Chen, S. S., Greenlee, G. M., Kim, J. E., Smith, C. L., & Huang, G. J. (2010). Systematic review of self-ligating brackets. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 137(6), 726.e1–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.11.009
