Sometimes I wish I had SL brackets but then, other times I'm happy that I have to go in to get my ligs changed out so that I know how my progress is going. I just like to know which direction progress is moving and if they can prevent any problems and such.
I'll admit, I am vain BUT I asked about the bracket types my ortho used and he just happened to use the kind I wanted. If not I still would have settled with whichever kinds of ceramic brackets used because I am comfortable with his treatment decisions. I've seen many people I know go through treatment in his office and have been able to see their results.
Self Litigating
Moderator: bbsadmin
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Miss Smiley
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:59 pm
- Location: Sunny SoCal
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Here's what I like about my self-ligating brackets:
(For the record, everything stated is my opinion only - except if noted that it is my ortho's - and based solely on my limited experience.)
I've had very little pain overall in the week since bonding. (But that could just be me.)
I like that they are small, esthetically and physically. (There may be equally small traditional brackets, but I wouldn't know.) I was surprised when I was bonded and first closed my lips that the brackets didn't feel as huge on my teeth as I expected. I've had very little problem with sores or cuts in my mouth. (Dunno if the brackets get all the credit for that, though, again it might just be me. Or the salt water rinses.) My top front six aren't entirely clear, but they are partially so, so the metal part appears even smaller on my teeth than a full bracket would.
I like that there are no ligs to get faded/stained/gunk caught on. (I would enjoy colors but I'm fine without them.) The brackets are very easy to clean.
I actually like the fact that appointment times are farther apart, because it means I have to miss less work. If I have any question or think anything's happening, my ortho's office will fit me in, so I'm confident I can see them if I need to. Otherwise, it's less disruption to my schedule.
I was given a treatment time of 18-20 months, which is less than with traditional brackets. (Full disclosure: I only went to one consult and liked my now-ortho so much I decided to work with him. Others may have given me shorter times with traditionals OR longer times with S/L. And who's to say how long it wil actually take?)
My ortho thinks I can be treated without extractions, which he would have recommended with traditional brackets. (FD: there's no guarantee, and he did warn me it might still happen if things don't sort out like he expects. Also, because I didn't go to any other consults, I don't know if others would have recommended extractions with traditional brackets or not.)
Whatever brackets you choose, there are lots of others out there with braces too. And many more who just had them off (and you may not even know it - I discovered this about two of my playgroup moms last night) so they won't look sideways or think twice about yours. I think it's most important to trust and feel comfortable with your ortho. Good luck in your decision!
(For the record, everything stated is my opinion only - except if noted that it is my ortho's - and based solely on my limited experience.)
I've had very little pain overall in the week since bonding. (But that could just be me.)
I like that they are small, esthetically and physically. (There may be equally small traditional brackets, but I wouldn't know.) I was surprised when I was bonded and first closed my lips that the brackets didn't feel as huge on my teeth as I expected. I've had very little problem with sores or cuts in my mouth. (Dunno if the brackets get all the credit for that, though, again it might just be me. Or the salt water rinses.) My top front six aren't entirely clear, but they are partially so, so the metal part appears even smaller on my teeth than a full bracket would.
I like that there are no ligs to get faded/stained/gunk caught on. (I would enjoy colors but I'm fine without them.) The brackets are very easy to clean.
I actually like the fact that appointment times are farther apart, because it means I have to miss less work. If I have any question or think anything's happening, my ortho's office will fit me in, so I'm confident I can see them if I need to. Otherwise, it's less disruption to my schedule.
I was given a treatment time of 18-20 months, which is less than with traditional brackets. (Full disclosure: I only went to one consult and liked my now-ortho so much I decided to work with him. Others may have given me shorter times with traditionals OR longer times with S/L. And who's to say how long it wil actually take?)
My ortho thinks I can be treated without extractions, which he would have recommended with traditional brackets. (FD: there's no guarantee, and he did warn me it might still happen if things don't sort out like he expects. Also, because I didn't go to any other consults, I don't know if others would have recommended extractions with traditional brackets or not.)
Whatever brackets you choose, there are lots of others out there with braces too. And many more who just had them off (and you may not even know it - I discovered this about two of my playgroup moms last night) so they won't look sideways or think twice about yours. I think it's most important to trust and feel comfortable with your ortho. Good luck in your decision!
Braced for the first time on January 17th, 2008!
Planned with OrthoCAD iQ
Damon 3 ("social six") and 3MX brackets
Estimated treatment time: 18-20 months
This is what I'm going for!
Click on WWW to read my braces story.
Planned with OrthoCAD iQ
Damon 3 ("social six") and 3MX brackets
Estimated treatment time: 18-20 months
This is what I'm going for!
Click on WWW to read my braces story.
[quote="LadyJ"]Here's what I like about my self-ligating brackets:
Thanks very much for the info - if I were you, I too would like all that you describe and the pros of self-ligating braces. Tomorrow is my first consult - I saw on his website that he uses both the Damon system and smartclip.
I will post back and let you all know what he says!
Thanks very much for the info - if I were you, I too would like all that you describe and the pros of self-ligating braces. Tomorrow is my first consult - I saw on his website that he uses both the Damon system and smartclip.
I will post back and let you all know what he says!
I have only had my braces 2 weeks but thought I'd chime in...
I got the Damon self-ligating brackets on all my teeth, except the top front 6 which are Inspire Ice, clear brackets. They don't stain and I use a wire ligature to hold the arch wire on.
So far I am very happy. The Damon brackets are very small and they make the Ice brackets feel quite big inside my mouth. My metal Damons do not scratch up the inside of my mouth. My Ice are large and the hooks hurt - I still sleep with wax on them.
My Ortho said sometimes the Ice don't work as fast as the metal. So he'll check my progress and he might want me to change them to metal Damon.
At the time I was horrified, saying Oh no I have to have clear brackets, I'm old and work in an office. Heck, in 2 weeks everyone knows I have braces, are nice about them, wish me well, etc...
So if it means getting out of my braces faster, like in 12 months not 14.... I just might take him up on going full metal Damon.
and I read where you were asking how you know who to go to... well I had 2 appointments with 2 different Orthodontist... I read this site and felt confident I knew what to ask, etc... on my first appointment with my Ortho, he was friendly, very honest about my mouth, what issues I have that need correcting. He talked to me and I was comfortable with him, as a person. When I left, I knew he was it... I called and cancelled the other consultation appointment.
Good luck tomorrow!
Pebbie
I got the Damon self-ligating brackets on all my teeth, except the top front 6 which are Inspire Ice, clear brackets. They don't stain and I use a wire ligature to hold the arch wire on.
So far I am very happy. The Damon brackets are very small and they make the Ice brackets feel quite big inside my mouth. My metal Damons do not scratch up the inside of my mouth. My Ice are large and the hooks hurt - I still sleep with wax on them.
My Ortho said sometimes the Ice don't work as fast as the metal. So he'll check my progress and he might want me to change them to metal Damon.
At the time I was horrified, saying Oh no I have to have clear brackets, I'm old and work in an office. Heck, in 2 weeks everyone knows I have braces, are nice about them, wish me well, etc...
So if it means getting out of my braces faster, like in 12 months not 14.... I just might take him up on going full metal Damon.
and I read where you were asking how you know who to go to... well I had 2 appointments with 2 different Orthodontist... I read this site and felt confident I knew what to ask, etc... on my first appointment with my Ortho, he was friendly, very honest about my mouth, what issues I have that need correcting. He talked to me and I was comfortable with him, as a person. When I left, I knew he was it... I called and cancelled the other consultation appointment.
Good luck tomorrow!
Pebbie
[quote="Pebbles"]I have only had my braces 2 weeks but thought I'd chime in...
Thanks for chimin in Pebbie!
Good info for me to keep in mind - especially that the clear ice brackets feel larger and might not be worth it. And i agree 2 months faster would be worth it to me!!! It is also great to hear how comfy you are finding your Damons - - I can remember braces as a kid, big bulky metal bands on every tooth, I am sure that things have really changed in comparison to when I was a kid with braces!
I too work in an office and I know everyone will know I have braces very quickly. I don't care as much what others think - it is what I think that matters. And comfort does definitely count - I'll be interested to see what he says tomorrow regarding clear on the front 6 teeth and which he typicaly uses. Doesn't Damon make a clear bracket as well? I think someone else mentioned that she has them on here - infact I know she did, earlier in this thread. Was that not an option for you? Just curious about the options you had.
Thanks again for sharing! Let you know how I do.
Beth
Thanks for chimin in Pebbie!
Good info for me to keep in mind - especially that the clear ice brackets feel larger and might not be worth it. And i agree 2 months faster would be worth it to me!!! It is also great to hear how comfy you are finding your Damons - - I can remember braces as a kid, big bulky metal bands on every tooth, I am sure that things have really changed in comparison to when I was a kid with braces!
I too work in an office and I know everyone will know I have braces very quickly. I don't care as much what others think - it is what I think that matters. And comfort does definitely count - I'll be interested to see what he says tomorrow regarding clear on the front 6 teeth and which he typicaly uses. Doesn't Damon make a clear bracket as well? I think someone else mentioned that she has them on here - infact I know she did, earlier in this thread. Was that not an option for you? Just curious about the options you had.
Thanks again for sharing! Let you know how I do.
Beth
I have self ligating ceramics on top (bottom are now metal).
Since my first adjustment, I have opted for ligatures instead of the clips.
The ceramics are huge compared to the metal and the clips added more bulk.
Once I realized that ceramics are not at all invisible but rather look like something is odd about your teeth, I decided to emphasis the braces look by choosing colored ligs.
I've had many colors but I've been happiest with the silver/blue/periwinkle family. I think the give my teeth a whiter gleam.
(Reds and pinks remind me of blood, greens and aquas are like having spinach in your teeth, yellows and oranges are like having yellow teeth. IMHO)
I don't know if ligs can be used on all self ligating brackets, I'm just grateful they worked on mine.
And even when I have a clear powerchain, I get ligs over it on each tooth.
Silly me,
Elle
(Who just maybe, maybe will be getting a bottom closing wire on Jan. 30!)
Since my first adjustment, I have opted for ligatures instead of the clips.
The ceramics are huge compared to the metal and the clips added more bulk.
Once I realized that ceramics are not at all invisible but rather look like something is odd about your teeth, I decided to emphasis the braces look by choosing colored ligs.
I've had many colors but I've been happiest with the silver/blue/periwinkle family. I think the give my teeth a whiter gleam.
(Reds and pinks remind me of blood, greens and aquas are like having spinach in your teeth, yellows and oranges are like having yellow teeth. IMHO)
I don't know if ligs can be used on all self ligating brackets, I'm just grateful they worked on mine.
And even when I have a clear powerchain, I get ligs over it on each tooth.
Silly me,
Elle
(Who just maybe, maybe will be getting a bottom closing wire on Jan. 30!)
Spacers, Nov. 1; Braced Nov. 8, 2006; Braces off March 26, 2008, just short of 17 months. Glad it's over but the jury is still out on whether the game was worth the candle.
Hey, I'm a fellow vain person and just got my braces on last Monday.
I'm about to graduate from graduate school and look for my first "real" job, so I was a little worried about how my braces would look.
I also wasn't a candidate for invisalign since I they have to re-work my bite and I ended up getting ceramic self-ligating brackets on both the top and bottom and am pretty happy with it.
It will definitely be completely noticeable to you either way, but I feel better that they are a little more subtle. And I know that one of the people I work with actually thought I was wearing a wire retainer. Again, I think it just makes myself feel better to think that maybe they are slightly less distracting than full metal ones.
Either way good luck!
I'm about to graduate from graduate school and look for my first "real" job, so I was a little worried about how my braces would look.
I also wasn't a candidate for invisalign since I they have to re-work my bite and I ended up getting ceramic self-ligating brackets on both the top and bottom and am pretty happy with it.
It will definitely be completely noticeable to you either way, but I feel better that they are a little more subtle. And I know that one of the people I work with actually thought I was wearing a wire retainer. Again, I think it just makes myself feel better to think that maybe they are slightly less distracting than full metal ones.
Either way good luck!
I believe I have Inovation C - they are mostly clear, but not totally. They don't show much in pictures, which I like. I have SL metal on the bottom and they are much less comfortable. Yes, they're smaller, but somehow seem a lot sharper and pokier, whereas the ceramics are bigger, but smoother and have smoother corners. Overall I'm happy with my choice - especially my rapidly straightening teeth.
Thanks for the responses. Right now I have to first try to find someone who will even treat me. I saw someone on friday and he would not even look in my mouth because i have suffered from TMJD in the past and he won't take patients that have or have had TMJD. Crazy!
Thks I will keep all this in mind!
Thks I will keep all this in mind!
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bracedintx
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:52 am
Hi Beth, Just to remind you--those brackets are on models with ideal bites. Some people are shocked when they get their braces on and their teeth don't look like they imagined. The wire might be a lot bendier...just food for thoughtbeth1966 wrote:Thanks for the photos - they all look GREAT to me. My goodness such an enormous improvment over braces from 25 years ago! My whole mouth was metal back then - the ones nowadays are awesome!
self-ligating metal brackets all around
:[/quote]Hi Beth, Just to remind you--those brackets are on models with ideal bites. Some people are shocked when they get their braces on and their teeth don't look like they imagined. The wire might be a lot bendier...just food for thought [/quote]
Hi and thanks - not sure how old you are but I am 41. I had braces 25 years ago. I found a picture of myself and trust me - my entire mouth is metal. The brackets of today take up far less space on the actual tooth then the bands I had did. If I smile at you - you would never in a million years think I needed braces - my issues are the actual teeth don't meet on sides, so I might just be a candidate for a model shot! LOL!
That is if I can find an ortho who will treat me - my first consult was a bust, because I told him I have had TMJD issues, and even tho I am symptom free now he does not want to take me as a patient.
To be continued!
[/quote]Hi and thanks - not sure how old you are but I am 41. I had braces 25 years ago. I found a picture of myself and trust me - my entire mouth is metal. The brackets of today take up far less space on the actual tooth then the bands I had did. If I smile at you - you would never in a million years think I needed braces - my issues are the actual teeth don't meet on sides, so I might just be a candidate for a model shot! LOL!
That is if I can find an ortho who will treat me - my first consult was a bust, because I told him I have had TMJD issues, and even tho I am symptom free now he does not want to take me as a patient.
To be continued!
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bracedintx
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:52 am
I'm 32 and I had bands the first time around tooHi and thanks - not sure how old you are but I am 41. I had braces 25 years ago. I found a picture of myself and trust me - my entire mouth is metal.
Brackets are definitely better. I just know from other posts how freaked out people sometimes are because they have that model image in their head. I also have an open bite which is the primary reason for my braces (and my tmj pain, which in my case has drastically improved since I no longer have to practically dislocate my jaw to close my mouth). I thought my upper teeth looked just fine...until the brackets went on
I have been very pleased with all the progress both with my bite and the aesthetics. Good luck! 
self-ligating metal brackets all around
Oh wow - sounds like your bite is far worse then mine! My jaw never felt the way you described when I chew. Just can't tear my food (like steak/chicken) the way I use to. But I've adapted quite well. Who knows - if I don't find an ortho who will treat me in my area, I won't be having any brackets on my teeth! LOL - oh well!
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for the feedback!