Self-ligating braces

Self-ligating braces – comfortable and fast orthodontic treatment

Modern dentistry offers many ways to correct your bite. One of the most popular options is self-ligating (ligature-free) braces.

Unlike classic braces, where the archwire is held in place by ligatures (rubber bands or wires), ligature-free braces use a built-in lock that secures the archwire in the desired position.

This design makes the system more comfortable, aesthetic, and effective for the patient.

The orthodontists at Club 32, a family dental clinic in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv, have many successful cases of bite correction with self-ligating braces for patients of all ages  in their portfolio.  

We take an individual approach to bite correction—we develop a unique treatment plan for each patient, allowing us to correct their bite while taking into account the specifics of their clinical situation and preferences, and at an affordable price. In addition, you can pay for orthodontic treatment in installments and without overpaying. 

We will do everything to make your treatment effective, affordable, and comfortable.

How the ligature-free braces system works

To understand how this system works, it is first necessary to understand the general principles of orthodontic treatment with braces.

A brace system consists of the braces themselves and an orthodontic arch. Each brace has a set of characteristics (prescriptions). They program the direction in which the tooth will move during treatment and the correspondence of its new position to the following parameters: angle of inclination from right to left (angulation), angle of inclination from front to back (inclination or torque), angle of rotation along the longitudinal axis (rotation), position relative to the dental arch (in/out).

The arch initially has the shape of a regular jaw and, most importantly, has shape memory—that is, after any deformation, it will tend to return to its original shape. This property is the basis of how braces work. In practice, it is usually implemented as follows: braces are attached to the teeth from the sixth to the sixth or from the seventh to the seventh – individually selected or a ready-made set, chosen on the basis of preliminary studies. After that, the arch is threaded through the slots of all the braces and secured with special locks on the outer braces. When threaded, the archwire is deformed according to the actual position of the teeth. This begins the treatment process, during which the archwire gradually returns to its original shape, smoothly moving the teeth to which it is attached—and the braces, or more precisely, their prescriptions, set the parameters for this movement.

In traditional systems, the archwire is fixed to the brackets with ligatures. As a result, between visits to the orthodontist, the position of the bracket relative to the archwire remains unchanged. This has several unpleasant consequences:

• the need for frequent visits to the clinic (once every 3-4 weeks) to replace the ligatures
• static and rather strong pressure on the periodontal tissues between visits, which can cause discomfort, especially at the beginning of treatment.

The ligature-free brace system works differently. In this system, the braces are equipped with a special clip mechanism. It holds the archwire inside the grooves of the braces. This allows the teeth to move under less pressure and makes treatment gentler on the periodontal tissues.

In addition, the use of self-ligating braces reduces the number of visits to the dentist, as there is no need for constant replacement of ligatures. This is especially convenient for busy people and teenagers.

Advantages of self-ligating braces

• Treatment time is reduced by 20-30% compared to traditional braces.
• Less discomfort due to reduced pressure on the teeth.
• Simpler oral hygiene — the absence of ligatures makes cleaning easier.
• Fewer visits to the clinic.
• More aesthetic appearance, especially when self-ligating ceramic or sapphire ligature-free braces are used.

Features of treatment with ligature-free braces

Correcting your bite with ligature-free braces starts with a consultation with an orthodontist. After that, they take pictures, create a personalized treatment plan, and pick out the type of self-ligating braces system. This could be:

• a metal ligature-free brace system — functional and affordable;
• ceramic self-ligating braces — very aesthetic, practically invisible on the teeth;
• sapphire self-ligating braces — the most beautiful currently available. They are perceived as jewelry on the teeth.

After the self-ligating system is installed, the patient needs to visit Club 32 once every 6–8 weeks. This is significantly less often than with classic ligature systems.

During these visits, the orthodontist monitors the process of bite correction and, if necessary, changes the orthodontic arches. The arches are replaced in stages — from soft to more rigid. This is necessary for the gradual and safe movement of the teeth.

• Initial stage:

 Thin nickel-titanium (NiTi) arches gently align the teeth and are suitable for eliminating crowding.

• Middle stage:

 Medium-thickness arches continue the alignment and begin to correct the bite.

• Final stage:

 Rigid steel arches ensure precise bite adjustment and stabilization of the result.

Thanks to the ligature-free design of the system, the arches remain active longer and require less frequent replacement, making treatment more comfortable and effective.

After treatment is complete, a retainer (a thin metal wire to hold the teeth in the correct position) is attached to the inside of the teeth. It will most likely need to be worn for life. The retainer is invisible and does not interfere with anything. 

The duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the case, but on average it ranges from 12 to 24 months. 

The price of self-ligating braces depends on the material chosen and the complexity of the clinical picture.

Care for self-ligating braces

During orthodontic treatment, the patient is required to maintain the most thorough oral hygiene possible. Otherwise, the likelihood of tooth decay increases significantly. 

This is another argument in favor of self-ligating braces, as maintaining proper hygiene while wearing them is much easier than  with traditional braces.

Patients are advised to:

• Brush their teeth after every meal;
• Use an irrigator and orthodontic brushes;
• Visit a professional hygienist every 3-4 months;
• Follow your orthodontist's dietary recommendations (avoid hard foods and sticky sweets).

Choose fast, effective, and comfortable orthodontic treatment with self-ligating braces. 

The experienced orthodontists at Club 32 will select the optimal type of system for you and ensure maximum comfort throughout the entire bite correction process.

Make an appointment now!