Ligature and non-ligature braces: comparison of designs, convenience, efficiency

Wearing braces helps to effectively cope with dental deficiencies, as well as correct malocclusion. They come in two types: ligature and non-ligature braces. How do these designs differ and which one works better? Let's look at the design features of each type of braces and the selection criteria for installation.

The orthodontic structure consists of several elements. These are the brackets themselves, which are glued one at a time to each tooth, as well as a metal arch. It passes through the grooves in the braces along the entire dentition, is made of alloys that are safe for the oral cavity and has the ability to return to its original position, no matter how it is bent. This is the principle of operation of bracket systems. The arch initially has the correct shape, which the dentition gradually acquires under its pressure. The movement of teeth occurs in different planes, and this process is regulated by the doctor, accurately calculating the force of the arc - excessive or too little pressure on the teeth can lead to incorrect correction.

It is important for the patient to understand how the system works and strictly adhere to all the specialist’s recommendations so that the effect of treatment meets expectations. Without the control of a competent orthodontist, the results may be zero.

According to the type of fastening, braces are:

ligatures;
non-ligated.

Let's take a closer look at each type, find out how they affect the teeth and how to decide on the type of braces to install.

Ligature and non-ligature braces: comparison of designs

Ligature braces got their name due to the presence in the structure of the product of fastening rubber bands or steel wires - ligatures. They are responsible for the tension of the arch and the force of pressure on the teeth. In addition to ligatures, the orthodontic structure contains:

plates (bases, brackets) – fixed on the teeth and have a small groove for installing an arch;
arch – made of metal and passes through the grooves of the plates, combining the elements of braces into a single system.

Plates and an arc are also available in non-ligature products. But it is not the ligatures for braces that are responsible for fastening them, but the clasps - fasteners that secure the arches on the plates. An alternative name for non-ligating solutions is self-ligating, since the arch “autonomously” changes the tension force, providing the teeth with the necessary pressure and forcing them to move to the correct place in the jaw row.

The presence or absence of ligatures is the main structural difference between bracket systems. But when choosing parents, this fact is of little interest. There is a more important question: what is better for treating a child’s bite – ligature and non-ligature braces?

Rodikova Tatyana

“When choosing braces – ligature and non-ligature – the doctor first of all evaluates the potential of the design. The impact on the bite, the speed of correction and the patient’s comfort are the main selection criteria.”

Disadvantages of systems

Ligature braces have the following disadvantages:

systems with metal ligatures are contraindicated for people with allergies to metals, oncology, epilepsy, or an implanted pacemaker;
elastic fastening elements are subject to loss of elasticity, destruction and discoloration, and therefore must be replaced frequently;
metal fixation parts can injure the tissues of the oral mucosa;
hygienic care is difficult;
the need for monthly system setup;
impossibility of use for periodontal diseases.

Disadvantages of self-ligating systems:

increased discomfort due to the large volume of the structure;
relatively high cost.

Self-ligating and ligature braces: what is the difference

When ligature-free products first entered the dental market, they were accompanied by aggressive marketing and confident PR from manufacturers. This increased sales, but some exaggeration of the benefits made the professional audience and interested clients skeptical. For a long time there were debates about quality, efficiency and convenience. Research was carried out. The bottom line is that the analysis showed which of the advantages of self-ligating braces are true and which are fiction.

Ligature and non-ligature braces - similarities and differences:

What ligature system do we place on patients?

Our clinic uses metal braces

American. (Fig. 2)

Rice. 2 “Victory” bracket system

The “Victory” bracket system has several advantages compared to other ligature systems:

small sizes;
easy and quick installation;
reliability of fastening;
high strength;
hypoallergenic;
maximum possible comfort;
colored ligature;
color preservation;
original appearance, providing high aesthetics.

Tooth extraction.

The decision to free up additional space for teeth when correcting the bite is made by the dentist.
If extraction of healthy teeth is unavoidable, then regardless of the type of braces installed, it will be necessary to visit a surgeon. Plaksina Margarita
“Teeth preservation is the priority of our dentistry. But in rare cases, removal cannot be avoided. And the type of braces does not matter here. If there is no space for the correct positioning of teeth, it has to be created artificially.”

Care.
It is easier to clean self-ligating structures, since there are no bulky fasteners that accumulate food debris and complicate the procedure.
Comfortable to wear.
Plates with ligatures are flatter, but the elastic bands or wire fastenings themselves cause some discomfort. Self-ligating ones are more streamlined, but are about 1 mm thicker. Both options take some getting used to.
Frequency of visits.
Elastic ligatures stretch and tear - they need to be changed every month. Correction of self-ligating systems is carried out less frequently; the patient comes for an appointment every 1.5-2 months.

Dolotova Marina
“Our orthodontists often invite patients monthly, alternating correction of the upper and lower jaw. This is convenient for the patients themselves – less discomfort, more pleasant treatment.”

Aesthetics.
The main attention in braces is not the rubber bands and wire, but the base material. He is responsible for the decorativeness and invisibility of braces.

Braces care

Wearing self-ligating braces requires special oral care. For them, it is recommended to purchase a special toothbrush (preferably soft) and a brush. Brushing your teeth is required after every meal. When wearing braces, you should not overeat solid foods. You will also need to give up acidic foods and coloring drinks. Every 2-3 months when wearing braces, you need to visit your dentist.

Braces carefully chosen by an orthodontist will correct any defects in the oral cavity for several years and make your smile perfectly straight and your bite correct.

Materials and types of bracket systems

Corrective dental appliances are made from different materials. The base determines the attractiveness of products and is responsible for strength characteristics and durability. Main braces options:

Metal.
Noticeable on the teeth, but with many other advantages. Among the advantages of metal are strength, affordability, and elimination of the most serious pathologies. In addition to low attractiveness, the disadvantages include a high degree of injury, but manufacturers are gradually eliminating this defect, making the designs more streamlined and miniature. Doctors install metal non-ligature and ligature braces systems.
Sapphire.
Less durable, but almost invisible on the teeth. The transparency of artificial sapphire allows the plates to merge with the enamel. The effectiveness of treatment is high. Execution of products - in both versions.
Ceramic.
When choosing white ceramics, high aesthetics are guaranteed. Strength is lower than sapphires and metal, reliability is also lower. The plates are characterized by increased fragility, which requires the correct selection of menus during the treatment period. Ceramic braces can be non-ligature and ligature braces.
Plastic.
Suitable for simple correction and elimination of small bite defects. Strength and reliability are low. Dietary requirements – no solids or pigmented foods or drinks. More often used in a ligature version.

The products also differ in the technology of attachment to teeth:

Vestibular.
The base is attached to the outer (vestibular) surface of the tooth.
Read also: Materials used to make dentures
Lingual.
The plates are fixed on the inner (lingual) side of the crown. They are invisible to others - invisible braces.

Lingual ones are made to order, since the base must duplicate the anatomical shape of the teeth.

Aesthetic system without ligatures - what is it?

It is widely believed that non-ligature braces are a type of aesthetic system. In fact, this is only partly true.

Aesthetic self-ligating braces include ceramic and sapphire designs. Metal ones, although they look more attractive than ligature systems due to small locks, can hardly be called aesthetic. They look neat, but are much more noticeable than designs made of ceramics and artificial sapphires.

Also, aesthetic non-ligature braces include lingual systems - they are attached to the “lingual”, inner surface of the teeth. Such designs are invisible and are often chosen by public people.

The only drawback of non-ligature aesthetic systems is their high price. In order to reduce it, dentists combine materials: in the frontal zone, sapphire or ceramic clasps are fixed on the upper teeth, and metal ones on the lower jaw, chewing teeth.

How to choose braces for a child: self-ligating or ligature

The main criterion for choosing a brace system is the doctor’s recommendations. The orthodontist will look at the young patient’s photographs, make calculations for correction, and conduct 3D modeling. And based on the work done, he will offer options for braces systems. These will be structures that will most quickly and effectively eliminate the current pathology and straighten the bite.

At this stage, children and parents get involved in the choice: evaluate ligature and non-ligature braces based on photos and samples - compare the design, discuss preferences. Some people like colored rubber bands, which the doctor changes every appointment, others want transparent strips to hide the signs of the treatment being performed. It is important to hear the child’s opinion, because wearing braces for a long time - from several months to 2 years.

The optimal option is selected in dialogue, after which the doctor makes an appointment to install a ligature or self-ligating system, and the young patient begins his path to health, beauty and charm.

Indications for installation of self-ligating braces

The main indications for installing self-ligating braces are:

crowded teeth;
malocclusion;
presence of gaps between teeth;
displacement and incorrect inclination of teeth;
improper closure of teeth.

Contraindications

Any treatment has contraindications. In the case of installing non-ligature braces, they cannot be installed when:

caries and its complications;
gum diseases (periodontitis and periodontal disease);
poor oral hygiene;
blood diseases;
pathology of bone tissue;
immune system disease.

The process of installing ligature-free braces

The installation of self-ligating bracket systems follows a standard procedure and requires a thorough preparatory process. This process begins with an examination of the oral cavity by a dentist and a full diagnosis. The diagnostic stage consists of taking x-rays and making impressions and impressions of the teeth.

After this, the impressions and photographs are sent to a dental laboratory, where the braces are made. Before installing braces, as well as before starting any orthodontic treatment, professional cleaning of the oral cavity, treatment of caries and inflammatory processes in the gums are carried out. Only after this are bracket systems installed on the dentition.

Attention:

Braces are installed only on perfectly clean and healthy teeth. The presence of tartar and plaque interfere with the quality of surface adhesion.

Diet restrictions

To prevent braces from breaking or changing the vector of force, you need to reconsider your diet. Orthodontists recommend:

hard vegetables and fruits must be grated or crushed in a brander before use;
You cannot bite seeds, chew gum, eat nuts, dried apricots and other dried fruits;
Avoid consuming very hot or extremely cold foods and drinks;
limit the intake of food and drinks containing artificial or natural colors (tea, coffee, red wine, soda, berries, etc.).

Important: failure to follow the recommendations given by a specialist may result in system failure. In this case, the device will need to be repaired, which will lead to an increase in the correction period and an increase in the cost of treatment.

By location on teeth

Vestibular braces are traditional clasps on the outside of teeth. This is the most common and versatile type of braces - they are suitable for treating any malocclusion and patients of any age, starting from adolescence. External braces can be metal or aesthetic (sapphire, ceramic).

Lingual braces are attached to the inside of the teeth. Their clasps have a flatter fixation platform, to which an arc is attached to ligatures. The Confidence clinic works with lingual braces Win and incognito, which have a similar design, are created individually for the patient and differ in alloys.

Non-ligature ceramic systems

Such systems are developed on a ceramic basis: small crystals or granules. The size of the crystals directly affects the strength of the system - the smaller they are, the stronger. However, there is a minor drawback: small granules have lower transparency. Despite the fact that these braces are slightly stronger than metal ones, they look much more aesthetically pleasing. To increase strength, metal components are added to the material for making ceramic models.

Several famous ceramic models:

Clarity SL. Such models use materials using aluminum oxide. This is the only model whose design uses a minimum amount of metal elements.
Inovation C. A model that was designed relatively recently. It combines the advantages of a metal analogue of the same name and a wonderful aesthetic appearance. The design consists of a transparent ceramic material with a top layer of silicon oxide. Thanks to this composition, braces look attractive and do an excellent job of their main task - correcting the bite.

Damon Clear. Braces that are practically invisible on the surface of the teeth. They are made from a special material – sapphire. Another significant advantage is that they do not change color under the influence of dyes.

How often do you visit a doctor?

Treatment with ligature structures usually lasts from one and a half to three years.
To replace arches and ligatures, patients with classical systems visit an orthodontist every month. The doctor removes the ligatures, changes the archwires and puts on new elastic rings or fixes a metal wire on each bracket. The procedure takes from 20 to 35 minutes. Patients wear self-ligating devices for an average of one to two and a half years. The doctor makes an appointment once every two months and spends 15 to 25 minutes on the patient. Using a special SpinTek tool, the orthodontist opens the bracket cover and changes the arches.

positioning of the Damon Clear self-ligating bracket

Aesthetic ligature models Ormco

Inspire ICE aesthetic braces are made from artificially grown sapphire. The transparent single crystal is hardly noticeable on the teeth, and the ligature wings and base are stronger than those of the Spirit MB plastic device. Unlike ceramic, sapphire ligature braces look completely transparent.

aesthetic Inspire ICE