Damon system

The Damon system of orthodontics is one of four fixed, passive, self-ligating methods of correcting malocclusions—the other three being the Smart clip, the Praxis Glide, and the Carriere LX. Passive self-ligating systems use brackets that do not require elastic o-rings to hold the wires in place. By not using the elastic o-rings, the wires freely slide through the slots without friction, which necessitates new mechanics to use the system to move teeth. In addition, no o-rings means better oral hygiene, since they are a significant trap for oral bacteria. To hold the wires in place, the Damon System uses small sliding doors. The addition of 'stops' on the wires helps prevent the wire from becoming displaced from its intended location.

In passive self-ligating braces, orthodontic treatment begins with very light wires .014 inch in size that are made of an alloy of copper, nickel, and titanium (CuNiTi). Successively larger wires are placed as the arches round out and as the teeth level. The next-larger wire is used when it may be passively placed in the brackets. The use of initial light wires and the passive placement of subsequent heavier wires made of stainless steel and/or a TMA alloy reduces the pressure exerted on the periodontial ligaments, which with conventional orthodontic mechanics compromises the blood flow there and triggers sometimes nonphysiologic osteoclastic/osteoblastic activity.

With the lighter forces not exceeding the capillary pressure of the periodontium, tooth movement has been claimed to occur more rapidly and more comfortably by many doctors using passive self-ligating braces. Ormco, the manufacturer of the Damon system, makes similar claims. The American Association of Orthodontists' Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA) examined these claims based on an extensive review of current scientific literature and found insufficient evidence to support them.^[1] Another extensive literature analysis in a peer-reviewed journal arrived at a similar conclusion.^[2]

References

1. ^ Steven D. Marshall, G. Frans Currier, Nan E. Hatch, Greg J. Huang, Hyun-Duck Nah, Shannon E. Owens, Bhavna Shroff, Thomas E. Southard, Lokesh Suri, David L. Turpin (2010). "Self-ligating Bracket Claims". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics 138 (2): 128–131. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.04.019. 
2. ^ Stephanie Shih-Hsuan Chen, Geoffrey Michael Greenlee, Jihyun-Elizabeth Kim, Craig L. Smith, Greg J. Huang (2010). "Systematic Review of Self-ligating Brackets". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics 137 (6): 726.e1–726.e18. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.11.009.