Having a beautiful smile is an incredible feeling. No matter what the economy is like, people continuously invest in their smiles and prioritize their oral health. A good smile is sure to boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself. After all, a beaming smile is often the first thing we notice that attracts us to someone.
When it comes to teeth straightening, we’re lucky to have so many options today, but it can be confusing when deciding between all the different options. We love helping our patients choose what works best for their specific lifestyle and budget.
Our orthodontic care center offers a range of braces and clear aligner options, including Damon braces, which we will focus on in this blog. Damon braces are a type of self-ligating braces and are an excellent option for many people, including kids, teens, and adults.
What Makes Damon Braces Different Than Traditional Braces?
Braces use archwires and brackets to move teeth. Traditional braces have elastic bands to surround each bracket, while Damon braces use a self-ligating system to connect archwires to brackets.
Benefits of Damon Braces
- More Comfortable
Although comparable to traditional metal braces, Damon braces often offer more comfort than traditional braces. This is because the sliding mechanism allows for a more gradual shift in the teeth, resulting in less pressure and more manageable pain.
Comfort level also varies based on the person, the state of their teeth, wires, and the complexity of movement. You might feel some discomfort no matter what braces you get and may have soreness for a few days after your orthodontist puts them on you. That is completely normal as your teeth get used to the system. While all braces have similar discomfort levels, some have reported that Damon braces offer less discomfort.
- Easier to Clean
Since Damon braces have fewer parts than other braces, they are easier to clean. This is a pro for many.
- Fewer Visits to Your Utah Orthodontist
You won’t have as many orthodontist visits with those pesky elastic ties and bands that traditional braces have. Those ties and bands on traditional braces often loosen over time, requiring frequent replacements.
Damon braces can have their malfunctions, but overall, they require fewer appointments. One of the little doors that holds the bracket to the wire may open up, requiring an emergency orthodontic appointment. Ensure you follow all the guidelines your orthodontist gives you for caring for your Damon braces to avoid an emergency.
- More Styles to Choose From
The different Damon options include Damon metal braces or clear. The metal looks similar to traditional braces, while the clear bracket option is ceramic and offers a more discrete look. The ceramic Damon braces have a bracket made of tooth-colored ceramic to blend well with the color of your teeth. Damon clear braces are not very noticeable when paired with a white archwire. Having options can help your child feel in control and excited about their smile journey.
Do They Work for Everyone?
Damon braces can treat most dental issues, including underbites, overbites, crossbites, or crowded teeth. If your orthodontist offers them, they are an excellent option all around.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Them?
The length of treatment for Damon braces is comparable to that of traditional braces. It can take up to 36 months, depending on your case. They typically take as long as braces and longer than Invisalign aligners. Invisalign can range from 6-18 months.
Damon Braces Compared to Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners are another popular teeth straightening treatment. Their price is comparable to Damon braces, ranging from around $3000 to $7000. Invisalign is a system that uses clear trays to straighten the teeth, and they appeal to many because of their almost invisible appearance and ability to remove them for brushing, flossing, and eating.
You must also rinse and brush Invisalign every time you take them off, which might be a hassle for young teens. The required wear time for the clear aligners is 22 hours a day, including during sleep. Invisalign takes some self-discipline, so if you’re worried about your child following the proper procedures, Damon braces might be a safer choice.
The Cost of Damon Braces
Damon braces are comparable to both traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. The treatment typically ranges between $3,000 and $8,000, but the exact cost depends on several factors, including the length of your treatment.
Many dental insurance plans cover Damon braces. Since coverage differs per provider, always contact your health provider to determine the specifics of your coverage and out-of-pocket costs. One of our financial coordinators would love to help you with this.
Not all orthodontic experts offer Damon braces, although they are gaining popularity within the industry. If Damon braces seem like an option that checks all the boxes for you, make sure your Utah orthodontist offers it, and ask if you’re a good candidate.
