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Speed Braces or Self Ligating Braces

The dental industry is starting to market a new term called "speed braces". The term 'speed brace' is simply a marketing term that refers to self-litigating braces or self adjusting brackets which don't need the traditional elastic or bands, and adjust pressure automatically.

Speed Braces can be used with anytime of braces. For example, the self litigating bracket can be added to ceramic braces, metal braces and even lingual braces. The brackets allow the archwire to slide in and out automatically keeping the brace under more tension than is possible with the elastic or tie wires alone. The bracket acts like a trap door holding the tension in place and adding more pressure.The advantage with this is there is almost no resistance between the bracket and arch wire so a smaller arch wire can accomplish more. It also means much less time at the orthodontists adjusting your brace each eight weeks or so, which is always a hassle, especially if you need to have a 24month treatment.

What are the benefits?

As the name suggests, you get quicker results in less time. The sustained pressure results in a quicker overall treatment time, as well as a less office visits changing out and adjusting the ligatures and ties every time.

Check out some of the self-litigating braces here: http://www.ormco.com/damon/

There are many other types of self litigating bracket. If you ask your orthodontist they will go through the options for you.

What are Typical Treatment Times?
These braces are quite significantly faster than traditional braces. As per usual the marketeers are busy marketing the 3 Month braces, to catch your interest. Despite the marketing hype, many people that would have needed 18 months of traditional treatment can now have the work done in 6 months, which is a great advantage to many. And yes, with minor treatment, 3 months is certainly possible.

What are the Risks?
The biggest risk to applying more force to the teeth is root damage. However, the biggest single factor in Root Resorption damage is actually the overall length of the treatment. The latest studies show that decreasing the overall treatment time carries less risk and less complication. However, speed braces are still relatively new on the market.

Who is a good candidate for Speed Braces?
Speed braces work best when the overall treatment is cosmetic rather than underlying bite or jaw correction issues. Any serious adjustments of bite or jaw need a full term orthodontic treatment.

How Much do they Cost?
Speed Braces generally cost more than traditional metal braces. The big advantage for the orthodontist is fewer patient visits and shorter treatment time, which means they can perform more treatments quicker at less cost. See Braces Cost Matrix.