self ligating braces

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#1 Post by **Vyse** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:50 am

OK, am gonna go for my consultation in mid november. The ortho sent me the how to get there and some leaflets through the post etc. On one of the leaflets it talks about self ligating braces, (made by a company called 3M Unitek) can some one explain to me what these are. Also what things should i ask the ortho?

Thanks

#2 Post by **HeyTeach** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:27 am

Self ligating brackets have little clip gates that hold in and lock down the arch wire without use of elastic ligatures, so if you wanted funky colors, you don't really want to go with self ligating. There are several brands, mine are GAC Inovation R, Damon makes some etc. They tend to be smaller than a traditional bracket. I've had no issue with mine. They are stainless surgical steel and visible.

What else you should ask your ortho? Any weird mouth gizmos gonna be used such as wideners stretchers spreaders plates whatnots. Some can take some getting used to but all in all we seem to be a pretty adaptable bunch.

OK, hope one of the true experts here chimes in next.

#3 Post by **Rainy** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:49 pm

I am one of those persons who has had an extremely hard time with the popping in and out of the wire on my Smart Clips. At my first adjustment I had a lot of very wiggly teeth due to movement. It hurt like heck when they took the wire out and put in the new ones. They do have to be snapped in. I was told that the first few wires used are so flexible the tools are difficult to use for that purpose, that fingers are the best tool.

Also not having color can be a difference. When I first went the thought of color seemed too much, but sometimes now after reading others posts, I wish I was picking out my next color change. On the other hand when your driving down the highway and the top is down on the car and the sun is shinning, man does my mouth shine

Rainy

PS. if you look for my story you can see pics of what they look like

#4 Post by **PARR** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:55 pm

I have the self ligating GAC brackets. They're great, but what do I know; it's all I've ever had in my mouth, brace wise that is...

#5 Post by **Rainy** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:01 pm

lmao PARR

#6 Post by **alliphd** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:51 pm

I've got Inovations, which are self-ligating. If I was going with all metal brackets, I don't think I'd notice a difference - however my top brackets are ceramic (Inovation C). I love that I don't have ligs to worry about staining (except now, with my powerchain).

#7 Post by **bracedintx** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:50 pm

fWIW, my ortho puts ligs over self-ligating brackets just for the fun of having colors. he also uses color powerchains.

#8 Post by **Vyse** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:27 am

So what are the advantages then? Are they noticable small and do they speed up the process? Most importantly are they more expensive?

Thanks

#9 Post by **KathyC** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:36 am

Does everyone have a hard time with the adjustments with the 3M Smart-clips? I'm supposed to be getting those put on Monday My Ortho thought those would be best for me.

#10 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:15 pm

I have the Time2 Self ligating brackets. They have little doors that open and close on them. I have had no issues with mine at all. Opening and closing is a piece of cake, and short of having to apply a bit more pressure to get the ones in the back closed (when I got into the giant wires) it has never been uncomfortable. My adjustments are always pretty easy. Now mind you they get achey later, once my teeth start moving but the actual adjustments have not been an issue. My son also had these and said the same thing. He never had pain during adjustments, and he tends to be one of those people that produces a lot of tarter too. So.....I can recommend the time2 brackets!

Brandy

#11 Post by **kittymeow84** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:26 am

Hi All!!

(first post - weeee

)

Just browsing this thread as I'll be getting braces in the next few months - probably around mid-feb. My ortho has said he'll be using self-ligating brackets and as I'm not seeing him again til the end of Jan, I'm trying to discover which brand he's using - I forgot to ask! Doh!

I think they may be the In-Ovation C for upper and In-Ovation R for lower but I could be wrong. I asked if they were Damons at first cos I only knew of that one brand but apparently these are smaller and the clear ones are entirely clear, unlike the Damon-3s which only have one part that is clear.

So I guess my Q is, are there any other brands of self-ligating brackets that are entirely clear?

I guess a lot of people say it doesn't make a difference what brackets you use, but I just want something as small and discreet as possible that wont stain.

#12 Post by **kittymeow84** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:06 am

Thanks Kiwi - I actually posted some of my ortho-finding experiences on the Aussie dental forum too...but I've finally joined up here too.