The increasing importance of self-ligating instruments in dentistry

Over the years, self ligating brackets devices have gradually risen in the public eye as their advantages over elastomeric or steel ligatures have been widely claimed by orthodontists. Self-ligating braces are a modern replacement for traditional metal railroad track braces. Self ligating means that the bracket can attach to the main arch wire. The arch wire is held in place by small metal clips rather than elastic bands. There are two main types of ceramic self-ligating brackets. Active and passive, although some of them combine features belonging to both the active and passive types. The active type has a spring clamp that is pressed against the arch wire. In the passive type, the clamp is not actively pressed against the wire. These brackets have been continually modified and tuned since their introduction to overcome initial problems and improve overall performance.

History of self-ligating devices:

While it may seem like a novel idea, the concept of self-ligating braces came to light in 1935 with Russell Lock edge accessories. The rise of its reputation in the 90s led to further improvements in the devices and a large number of patents. Some of the most trusted products are SmartClip 2, In-Ovation C, Damon 3MX, and DammonQ. Self-ligating devices have gained an advantage over their steel and elastomeric counterparts in terms of overcoming problems of low efficiency, plastic deformation, staining, plaque buildup, friction, and discomfort. Elastomeric models have been studied to show a decrease in strength when placed in a simulated oral environment. The elastic is also prone to stretching, causing a significant loss in the complete fit of the bracket. Unlike elastomeric ligatures, self-ligating brackets offer a secure ligation because a complete, healthy fit of the bracket is guaranteed unless the clip or sliding mechanism malfunctions or something causes the bracket to dislodge.

Friction is also a critical factor in teeth alignment. Tooth movement occurs in a series of short jumps as the orthodontic arch wire and biological resistance attempt to rotate the root vertically through the alveolar bone. Therefore, the less friction, the better. Low friction is important in braces because it promotes efficient alignment, leveling, and space closure while maintaining low anchorage requirements. Self-ligation allows for a fairly significant reduction in friction at all stages of tooth movement. They help the tooth glide gently along the arch at a steady and predictable speed, while preventing unwanted tooth alignment.

In the long term, oral braces are a great solution even for mature people. Although braces can be attached to the teeth for a period of time, the treatment duration is usually not as long, unlike the treatment time for orthodontic treatment for teenagers. When you finally take the time to get your braces removed, you will be delighted with your new smile and improved bite.

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