The Damon System | Dental Treatment Guide

As more technology is developed and made available, orthodontists are able to offer patients more discrete, effective and comfy methods of straightening out their teeth. One of the more innovative products used are self-ligating braces. One of the most popular self-ligating treatments is the Damon Braces System and it is used all over the world. Damon braces are friction-free, which enables them to provide comfortable tooth adjustment and straightening – an aspect that is a great advantage compared to other orthodontics.

As the Damon system trend is picking up quickly in the UK, it is important that orthodontic patients are clear about exactly what the treatment method entails.

History of the Damon System

In 1996, the initial version of the Damon Braces System was introduced. It was further developed into a secondary form in 2000. This version's introduction was complemented by the production of a number of guidelines that were written in regards to the Damon System. These guidelines were set out to increase the benefits of the Damon System as it increased the dentist's knowledge of the treatment. As more dentists because familiar with this innovative system, it was able to develop further and increase in success dramatically.

Later, in 2004 and 2005, the demand for durable, strong ceramic braces were satisfied by the production of the Damon 3 hybrid as well as the Damon MX brackets. These were able to offer a level of tooth straightening that was only previously available with conventional metal "train track" braces. To ensure that this level of development continued so patients would only be offered the best products available, the Damon Forum was created.

The Damon Forum consists of a number of dental professionals who used the Damon System as part of their practice. The Damon Forum involves regular meetings, which tend to attract over a thousand dental specialists from around the world who want to learn more, share their knowledge and further develop the treatment. The cumulative success of the Damon System has been proven by a number of research trials and the results can be seen on the specialised Damon System website.

The technology behind the Damon System

The Damon Bracket, like many other new commodities on the market, claims to be a fantastic and effective product. However, like with many treatment systems, the Damon bracket will only reap the significant benefits to support the claims if the orthodontist is experienced and knowledgeable in the application process. The bracket is not guaranteed to provide a miracle cure to all who obtain it; although it does appear to have revolutionary features that make the product stand out amongst other orthodontic merchandise.

Among the standout qualities of the Damon bracket is the level of discreteness. The bracket can be fitted to be barely visible, which shows a significant difference in appearance to conventional braces. Not only this but the Damon braces are less vulnerable to staining from factors such as food and drink. In addition to these advantageous features is the comfort aspect. This is achieved by the edges of the brace being rather shapely and well fitting.

The Damon braces can apparently achieve the straightening results of a traditional brace in a much shorter space of time. This is possible, as the Damon system is not held in place by wires. This allows the wires to be present in the brace to be more concentrated on applying sufficient pressure to the teeth to achieve the desired results. This further leads us on to looking at the Damon System theory.

The theory that the Damon System is based on

Traditional dental braces require ties made out of either steel or rubber. These attach the wire onto the brace to hold it in position in the mouth. These wires generate a level of unwanted friction that opposes the action of the braces attached. This suppresses the action of the braces so the teeth take a longer time to move into the desired position.

The Damon System has been developed to avoid this friction issue and therefore to speed up the tooth moving process. This is done by the implication of a sliding design that significantly limits the amount of friction present. As the friction is minimalized, the Damon braces are able to translocate the teeth in a more quick, effective manner.

The Damon System treatment notion

Rather than continuously marketing brand new products to try and transform the way orthodontics is seen and used, the Damon System is a developmental process that is constantly being improved. The persistent enhancement of the Damon System allows not only development of a product but also of the entire orthodontic profession.

The success of the Damon System is totally dependent on the orthodontist implicating it. A good orthodontist is a fundamental factor in the triumph of the Damon System as it requires commitment and perseverance. By only applying Damon braces and continuing with conventional methods on the side, the benefits observed would be extremely limited.

The Damon braces system applies a rather gentle pressure that is capable of moving teeth not only comfortably by also rapidly. The forces applied by the Damon brace wires are only about a quarter of that applied by those that compose traditional braces. The result of this is that the patient does not have to have as many orthodontic appointments as the braces do not require as much adjustment. Also, it may be noticed that the amount of tooth movement observed between dental visits is more than that seen with conventional braces.

Advantages of the Damon System

The Damon braces system holds many advantages over traditional orthodontic treatments. These beneficial aspects include:

• Speedier treatment: As the Damon braces have the specialised friction-free component as well as the self-ligating wires; they are capable of moving the teeth and making the entire process much faster. When comparing with traditional fixed braces, it can be seen that the Damon braces provide the desired results up to six months quicker.
• Comfort: As the Damon braces are self-ligating they do not require rubber or steel ties, which are often the cause of orthodontic discomfort and irritation. Not only this, but it means that the braces do not need to be adjusted and tightened as often as traditional braces, which can be a very uncomfortable process.
• Oral Hygiene: Traditional braces can be associated with plaque build up due to the ties that hold them in place. This can inhibit cleaning and oral hygiene is subsequently affected. The Damon System avoids this due to the lack of ties and is therefore related to better hygiene during the treatment process.
• Visibility: The Damon braces have a discrete design that makes them significantly less visible than conventional braces. However, you should note that they are not entirely invisible. The lower visibility can be traced to the 60% ceramic composition of the Damon brace. This is clear and limits the amount of metal in the mouth.

Disadvantages of the Damon System

It is very hard to find any procedure that is completely free of disadvantages. With the Damon System, this is no different however many of the disadvantages are down to individual preference as opposed to risks with the actual braces. A key disadvantage is not so much down to the treatment but down to an inaccurate belief. The Damon System is often referred to as 'extraction-free', which can be seen as a huge advantage. However, this is not always the case. The braces are part of an entire orthodontic treatment system and part of this treatment may require tooth removal depending on the problem. Another potential disadvantage is also dependent on what the patient's problem is. Some issues require the wearing of headgear, which can be an unattractive prospect but unfortunately, necessary.

How much does it cost?

Having your teeth adjusted using the Damon braces system is notably pricier than other, more traditional orthodontic methods with prices generally starting at approximately £2450. Despite this cost, the benefits may be worth the extra money. Your teeth can be straightening quicker in a more comfortable, pain-free manner whilst you are able to maintain good oral hygiene.

The expense of Damon braces will vary from person to person. You should be able to obtain an accurate cost estimate that has been tailored to your individual requirements.