Is it possible to open the locks on braces at home?

The question of how to open a brace yourself worries many patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Before opening the brace lock, you need to understand that only a professional orthodontist can do this correctly and as safely as possible. It is advisable to perform these manipulations in cases where there is a need to replace the arc or correct a problem that has arisen. Doctors do not recommend opening the lock at home. Quite often, when patients try to open the lock on their own at home using improvised objects, this leads to breakdown of the structure. In today's article we will talk about how to open a brace as carefully and safely as possible without the help of a doctor.

What are they?

Damon Clear is a system belonging to the group of vestibular non-ligature braces.
They are installed on the outer (front) side of the teeth without the use of ligatures and third-party fixing elements. The arc is fixed in the grooves of the bracket with special locks. The main difference between braces is the minimum dimensions of its base and the height of the platform. The Damon Clear system is positioned as highly aesthetic and as comfortable as possible for the treatment of malocclusion.

Most models have a transparent base made of aluminum oxide.

This material is not only durable, but also allows you to make the device almost invisible on the teeth, as it completely conveys the shade and texture of the enamel.

But the all-metal construction, unlike systems of other brands, is hardly noticeable on the enamel surface due to its minimal size.

Apart from its small size, externally, Damon Clear design elements hardly stand out among devices from other companies.

But their design features are very significant:

• the device is equipped with an innovative sliding-type cover, which opens and closes easily, allowing you to quickly replace the arcs using a special tool that opens the lock with one turn;
• the base of the bracket is laser-treated, which increases the adhesive properties of the product;
• the edges of the braces are rounded, which reduces the risk of injury to the mucous membrane;
• The locks have wide grooves that allow you to correct the bite using arches of different thicknesses, starting from the thinnest.
• The brackets are made in the shape of a diamond and have vertical markings. In addition, removable guides are provided for installation.

This combination of characteristics makes it easy to position and secure each element of the system.

How to prevent the development of caries during treatment with braces?

It is necessary to visit your dentist regularly. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with an electric or special brush for braces and a brush. Toothpastes contain a component that prevents soft deposits from sticking to the surface of the teeth. Its effect lasts for 10-12 hours, but the effect manifests itself exclusively on a clean tooth surface. After the teeth are brushed, you need to evaluate the result: the cleaned enamel surface has a dry shine. If you can see areas of enamel without shine, you need to brush your teeth again.

If you notice bright white areas of enamel or other suspicious lesions, consult a doctor immediately.

Interesting facts about Damon braces and their features

Ormco designs replicate standard braces models: fasteners and arches passing through them. Looking at the photos of conventional systems and Daimon non-ligature braces, you will notice the absence of wires and elastic bands and the use of clasps instead. Damon braces are lightweight, small and elegant.

The absence of ligatures is one of the features of the Daimon line, which distinguishes it from other models. Initially, the creation of self-ligating structures was intended to simplify the work of dentists and free them from winding rubber bands around the clasp to secure the arch. Today, Dimon braces are considered as a way to carefully straighten teeth under the influence of the force of the system itself and the patient’s facial muscles.

The peculiarity of the fixation protocol of this system is the use of SpinTek snap locks. Despite the free movement of the arch in the grooves, these fasteners provide reliable fastening of the system, eliminating periodontal deformation.

One of the popular American braces systems received a memorable and sonorous name from its creator, Dwight Damon. In Russian-speaking countries, there are several interpretations of the English name Damon and the most popular of them are: Damon, Daimon, Damon. Some sources also mention Damon or Diamond braces, which apparently means the same Damon braces, but in a more exotic version.

Damon braces belong to the class of self-ligating passive systems. They provide gradual straightening of teeth using a gentler effect than traditional means. Minimal friction and free movement of the bracket arc in the groove, comfortable interaction of products with the mucous membrane and internal muscles allow effective treatment with virtually no painful sensations for the patient.

Each bracket of the Damon system has several prescriptions (variants of its location), and therefore the system is easily adjusted to different initial situations and characteristics of the patients’ oral cavity. Damon is said to effectively straighten teeth and return them to their normal position faster than traditional ligature braces.

Elimination of discomfort after activation

If the discomfort is severe, then taking painkillers (for example, Ibuprofen) is allowed. You can also use other methods to reduce pain. Here are the experts' recommendations:

1. Changing your usual diet. The menu should consist of soft foods (soups, purees, puddings and similar dishes).
2. Using cold compresses.
3. Applying a gel with an anesthetic effect to the gums.
4. Rinse your mouth with salt water.
5. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that does not contain abrasive particles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Damon Clear devices have many advantages that set them apart from other models:

• high comfort of treatment due to the unique shape of the product;
• the absence of ligatures allows for correction with minimal impact on the teeth, which reduces pain during treatment;
• this type of system requires fewer visits to the dentist to correct the arch and apparatus, which significantly saves money and time;
• the time of the correction procedure is only 10 – 15 minutes;
• the treatment period is 25% shorter than when using other systems;
• high aesthetics of the system;
• ease of care.

In addition, a significant advantage is the fact that the device can be installed in the presence of periodontal problems.

The only disadvantage of this design is the cost, which is slightly, but still higher than similar systems.

Infrequent visits to the dentist and ease of use are the main advantages of Dimon self-ligating braces. If, after installing a conventional design, you need to visit a doctor at least once a month, then to adjust Damon braces, one visit every 10 weeks is enough. The sliding fastening system allows you to replace elements in 10-15 minutes.

Other advantages of ligature-free braces:

1. Safety. Due to the low pressure on the teeth, the Damon alignment system does not cause pain when worn by the patient and does not cause damage to periodontal tissue, which is typical of conventional models. The design is installed even in the presence of incisors that are “hopeless” for straightening, which are most often removed when installing ligature systems.
2. Aesthetics. Light pressure on the dentition ensures its gradual alignment, and the integrity of the periodontium is not compromised. Thanks to this correction method, the bite is less likely to return to its original position.
3. Comfort. The small dimensions of the structure ensure aesthetics and convenience of orthodontic treatment. The patient quickly adapts to it and after a few weeks stops experiencing discomfort from having a foreign body in the mouth. Damon models consist of smooth sliding elements, which eliminates the risk of injury to the gums.
4. Rapidity. Treatment lasts for 1-1.5 years, which is almost 1/3 less than when using conventional models. In addition, each element of the system has several location options, which allows the structure to take a position based on the characteristics of the patient’s jaw.
5. Hygiene. Due to the absence of ligatures in which pieces of food accumulate, Damon does not worsen the condition of the oral cavity, which reduces the risk of developing caries.

The Damon line of braces allows you to combine designs from different materials. Thus, aesthetic sapphire elements are fixed to the front teeth, visible when talking and smiling, and less expensive metal parts are fixed to the back teeth. This combination does not affect the quality of treatment in any way, but allows you to reduce its cost by almost 1/3.

How to avoid complications

Many patients note that removing braces does not hurt, except that the process of unsticking the locks causes slight discomfort. This is especially felt with increased sensitivity of the enamel. However, complications after wearing structures still occur. They are often associated with non-compliance with hygiene rules during orthodontic treatment. Immediately after installing braces, a person should change their diet and spend more time brushing their teeth and braces. To do this, use special brushes, brushes, dental floss and mouthwash.

Doctors also recommend cleaning your mouth 2-3 times a week with an irrigator. It allows you to eliminate food debris and bacteria even from hard-to-reach places: interdental spaces, under the arch, around locks, etc. When buying an irrigator, choose a model with attachments that are compatible with orthodontic structures, for example, Donfeel Donfeel OR-820D Compact, Revyline RL 100, Panasonic EW-1411 or Revyline RL 200XL. Please consult your dentist before purchasing such devices.

Damon - opportunities and main advantages

All Damon braces are self-ligating systems and are attached to the teeth using an arch, which is secured in each element using a special locking cap. Unlike ligature braces, which are fixed with separate rubber rings, Damon braces are not clamped too tightly and can move relative to the fastening arch. This design allows you to correct the position of your teeth with minimal effort.

The Damon Q System is a passive, self-ligating restoration designed to correct tooth alignment using the body's natural forces.

One of the main features of the system is the small size of the corrective elements and the convenient form of their fastening. The locking cover of each bracket has smooth beveled edges, and therefore the elements are easily installed/removed and do not injure the patient’s oral cavity. The organs in the mouths of adults and children quickly adapt to the unusual arrangement.

The Damon Q series belongs to the middle price category - it is accessible to most ordinary consumers. Many modern clinics offer, which allows almost everyone to take advantage of modern treatment.

Adjustment of the arches should be carried out by an orthodontist at least once every 2 months. The usual course of treatment usually includes no more than ten visits to the doctor.

Corrective products from the Clear series are considered the most aesthetically pleasing braces for everyday wear. In their design, they are almost identical to the Damon Q series, but are practically invisible on the teeth due to their transparency. Damon Clear is made from modern material - polycrystalline aluminum oxide (PCA), which has high levels of transparency, strength and wear resistance.

Thanks to the unique raw materials, braces do not darken, stain or become cloudy when consuming various foods and drinks, remaining transparent and invisible throughout their entire service life. Of course, even the most perfect braces can be seen upon careful examination, but in normal conversation, few people will pay attention to transparent corrective devices.

The clasps of each Damon Clear brace are transparent, like the entire corrective system, despite the fact that their base is laser-treated for better adhesion to the tooth surface.

As a rule, Damon Clear designs are not installed in the entire oral cavity, but are combined with products from other series. Transparent braces are attached to the front of the upper jaw, and in the remaining areas, Q or 3mx series products are used. The cost of braces made from artificial sapphires is higher than that of conventional metal products, but does not differ much from the price of other lingual systems.

Installation, setup and adjustment of Damon Clear braces does not take much time and is carried out by a doctor in one 15-20 minute appointment.

Preference for transparent Damon Clear braces is given by public people, teenagers who are unsure of their attractiveness and those patients who do not want to advertise the presence of problems with crooked teeth in front of strangers.

Corrective devices Damon 3 MX stand out among analogues with their rounded shape, which increases the comfort of wearing them. Their fixing arc is secured much easier and more conveniently with the help of lids with locks, and the construction material has become even stronger and more durable.

To enhance the ability to correct malocclusion, Damon 3 MX braces are equipped with vertical recesses into which auxiliary hooks can be inserted. The design of the grooves allows you to independently remove them when brushing your teeth or in other necessary cases.

Convenient shape, advanced capabilities, attractive design and affordable price have made the Damon 3 MX series braces the most popular among the overwhelming number of patients.

Compared to ligature braces, all Damon braces have a number of advantages. Ordinary patients notice only a few of them:

• High efficiency of adjustment, allowing you to straighten teeth in most cases without additional devices.
• Requires fewer visits to the orthodontist to adjust and correct the position of the elements. Damon braces can be checked and adjusted once every 8-10 weeks, whereas regular braces require adjustments every 4-5 weeks.
• Much easier to install and remove thanks to the convenient lid system with locks. The specialist only needs a few minutes to open all the braces and change their position.
• In many cases, the total treatment time is reduced by almost a quarter.
• A large percentage of cases of non-surgical treatment of malocclusions without tooth extraction. Compared to conventional braces, Damon systems often allow for natural orthodontic treatment without the need for surgical intervention. However, they are not an omnipotent remedy or a panacea for all ills, and therefore tooth extraction in some cases is simply necessary.
• High comfort when using the brace system and minimizing discomfort. Since the forces that displace the teeth are small, and the friction force between the arches and the corrective elements is very small, the pressure on the jaw is distributed evenly. This reduces pain symptoms. The rounded shape and thoughtful design prevent the braces from rubbing the tongue, cheeks and lips, and the body quickly adapts to the foreign structure in the mouth.

There are also several specific technical advantages of the Damon series that are highly valued by orthodontists.

Before installing Damon braces and after. Photo

Of course, compared to traditional braces, Damon brand products look more attractive and modern, but they also do not have superpowers that allow you to not notice the treatment process at all. Even the most well-thought-out self-ligating braces require timely adjustment and care, which means regular visits to the orthodontist are mandatory.

What are the risks of arc failure?

If the arc breaks, great care must be taken. This is the main part of the overall design. The fracture site, as with a normal bracket peeling off, should be fixed with wax and a doctor should be visited as soon as possible.

What should you do if you swallow a piece of an archwire that has broken off from your braces?

An arc is an oblong piece of wire. It is better if it has curved edges that will not cling to soft tissue as it moves along the gastrointestinal tract. Usually, under such conditions, the wire leaves the body naturally without pain.

Problems arise if the ends are not rounded. A relatively successful option is to insert the wire into the soft tissue of the esophagus. In such a situation, the foreign element can be removed without undergoing an expensive operation.

If you swallow an archwire, you need to visit a surgeon as soon as possible, and before that, make a minimum of active movements, trying not to push it down the esophagus.

Eating is strictly prohibited to avoid aggravating the situation. You can drink, but be careful.

An x-ray will be needed to accurately determine the location of the arc. Based on the X-ray results, the surgeon will be able to remove it as safely as possible.

It is also possible that ligatures or individual braces may be swallowed. In such a situation there is no reason to worry. These elements will either dissolve in the gastric juice or leave the body along with waste from the digestive system.

How many do they wear?

The period of treatment with Damon braces can vary significantly, depending on each specific situation. On average, the correction period is 6–24 months. The timing may be affected by the patient's age.

As practice has shown, orthodontic treatment takes less time in children whose bone tissue is more labile. In this case, the average treatment period is 6–18 months.

The severity of the pathology plays an important role. The more serious the abnormality, the longer the treatment will take. In some situations, correction of complex pathologies in adults takes 2 to 3 years.

Photos before and after correction with Damon Clear braces

Option 2

Do not try to remove a loose bracket if it is tightly held in a metal arch. In this case, the best option is to do nothing until you see a doctor. If you are afraid of losing the plate while eating or brushing your teeth, you can temporarily secure it with special orthodontic wax. It’s definitely not worth trying to forcibly tear the bracket away from the structure, because you can damage the entire device. In this case, it will need to be completely replaced, which will cost a lot of money and time.

Price

Given the reasonable cost of the Damon system itself, which varies from 11 to 20 thousand rubles, treatment in clinics significantly exceeds this amount. Here, not only installation manipulations are taken into account, but also the method of fixing the arc.

If braces with a ligature fixation system were used for correction, then the cost of installing a set of 8 braces will be approximately 85 thousand rubles.

Increasing the number of braces will increase the total amount. For example, when installing 10 brackets, the cost increases by 5–8 thousand rubles.

When using a self-ligating system, the cost is 100–130 thousand rubles.

Can braces be removed by another orthodontist?

Any orthodontist can dismantle an orthodontic structure, but it is better to have this procedure done by the doctor who installed the braces. Firstly, he knows exactly all the nuances of the treatment process, and secondly, the cost of treatment, as a rule, includes the removal of the structure. Another clinic will have to pay for examination and dismantling of the system. You will also need to pay separately for fitting retainers. In any case, when going to another dentist, take your medical record, which describes the pathology and all stages of treatment.

Method 1

To make it you will need a paper clip or wire, orthodontic wax, foil, sandpaper. The structure is prepared in the following sequence:

1. Cut off the required section of the wire or unbend the paper clip.
2. They are formed into a “horseshoe”.
3. Smooth the ends with sandpaper and wrap with insulating tape.
4. Balls are formed from small pieces of foil or beads are taken.
5. Attach them to the main element.
6. Orthodontic wax is applied to the created structure and pressed against the teeth.

Note! An incorrectly sized wire will damage soft tissue.

Tips for straightening teeth

Self-made braces at home will, of course, add pathos to the image. But you still need to straighten your teeth with the help of an orthodontist. In addition, it is important to know that dental defects are not always a genetic problem. It often occurs due to a number of factors:

1. Excessive consumption of only soft foods. Solid food trains the chewing muscles well. The teeth are practically not subject to movement.
2. Bad habits of a child: biting the lower lip, attachment to the pacifier, constant sucking of foreign objects.
3. Frequent breathing through the mouth. A healthy person should breathe only through the nose.
4. Lack of microelements, especially calcium. Its deficiency will certainly lead to thinning of tooth enamel and loss of stability.

Important! The bracket came off, what should I do?

Do-It-Yourself Approach

On the Internet you can find a lot of advice on how you can do it yourself, i.e. without professional help, remove braces. Technically this can be done. But doing this is strictly prohibited.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with the lymph node on the neck under the chin

The reason for the ban is that such an action can severely damage the surface of the enamel coating, which is why the consequences of such a violation can result in unpleasant and very serious complications.

The process at home can result in damage to the gum tissue, mucous membrane and teeth themselves, and inflammation. It is simply impossible to remove dental glue residues on your own without professional equipment and without damaging the enamel.

Important! Only a specialist can properly unfasten the clasps without affecting the enamel, remove them, and remove the glue efficiently.

Instrumental examination

Orthopantomogram is a panoramic photograph of the dentition. It is used to determine the location of the teeth and their rudiments, and to identify supernumerary and impacted teeth.

The examination provides information about the degree of formation of the tooth root, the availability of space for the growth of third molars, and the level of bone tissue.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the Light seal, how long after you can eat coloring

Teleroentgenogram is a photograph of the head in a lateral projection. The study helps to calculate the angle of the skull structure, which changes during the treatment process. It is used during the period of growth or in cases of severe skeletal deformation.

Additional Information! Taking into account the examination and radiography data, the necessary braces parameters are selected.