If ten years ago, braces were practically not in demand as an option for eliminating malocclusion pathologies, but now the situation has changed radically.
The reason is the improvement of designs, increased comfort and aesthetic content, because the main repulsive factor to their use was precisely the external ugliness of the device.
Fortunately, these stereotypes have been broken - modern products provide excellent therapeutic results and practically do not reveal their presence in the oral cavity.
Such systems include the Smart Clip product, the main properties, characteristics and advantages of which are discussed in this material.
A little about the manufacturer
Smart Clip systems are the brainchild of the world famous company 3M Unitek, an American manufacturer that has been specializing in the manufacture of orthodontic structures and devices for more than a century.
A feature of the management policy is constant innovative developments that allow us to go one step ahead of competing brands.
The corporation is the founder of a technology that involves the use of a nickel-titanium alloy in dental practice, which makes it possible to create a unique self-closing product.
This mechanism still has no analogues, and the principle of its creation is patented and kept strictly secret.
The 3M Unitek product line consists of about 1,500 items, each of which is certified according to the European quality and standardization system.
System Description
Smart Clip is a device with a small contact area, but at the same time they interact perfectly with the tooth.
Thanks to the most even distribution of the load at the time of chewing food, the braces are fixed to the enamel surface firmly and reliably.
Thus, the penetration of product fragments and pathogenic microorganisms into the gaps and recesses, causing an unpleasant odor and the development of inflammation, is minimized.
Reliability of fastening is ensured thanks to the presence of convenient latching mechanisms. Nitinol clips are completely devoid of moving elements.
They do not require the presence of special hooks, and fully fulfill their functional purpose , aimed at restoring the external attractiveness of the dentition.
The design size also differs from analog versions from other manufacturers. They are an order of magnitude smaller, which has a positive effect on the period of adaptation and the presence of a foreign object in the patient’s mouth.
External view of Empower braces and a detailed overview of the system. Come here if you are interested in proper braces care.
At this address https://dr-zubov.ru/ortodontiya/apparaty/brekety/vozniknovenie-i-ustranenie-boli-v-raznye-periody.html we will tell you whether it hurts to remove braces.
What are Smart Clip braces?
Self-ligating, ligature-free Smart Clip braces represent a revolution in orthodontics. Their production is based on the use of titanium nickelide structural material.
Metal devices for correcting bite and occlusion Smart Clip are distinguished by a smooth surface radius, which increases the comfort when wearing them.
Braces from an American manufacturer have a classic shape with an anatomical platform.
This manufacturer's solution allows patients to quickly get used to foreign objects in the mouth . The presence of an identification system and a vertical marking line on the body ensures more accurate positioning of the braces.
The modernized clips in the Smart Clip system of metal American devices are distinguished by an improved design, which allows them to be installed on the dentition and replace arches without any particular difficulties.
When the established norms of pressure on the dentition are exceeded, integral and important elements in the design of braces are released, in the form of a strong wire. The open design of the clip allows for improved oral hygiene. Nitinol is used in its production.
Among the advantageous characteristics are strength, resistance to corrosion, high coefficient of shape recovery, biological compatibility, and damping ability.
This is interesting: Facet in dentistry - what it is, how it is used, its varieties
Titanium nickelide has a “memory effect”. It can recover up to 8% strain under stress up to 800 MPa.
The wings of the clip are low-profile elements of braces. They have an identification mark on them. The systems' steel arches are distinguished by rounded corners. This choice of their appearance ensures excellent, ideal gliding while maintaining torque. Jamming is completely eliminated.
The APC PLUS system is designed for high-quality fixation of devices . It involves the preliminary application of an adhesive to the braces, the distinctive characteristics of which include light-curing and color-changing properties.
Among the main features of the Smart Clip bracket system are the following:
- ease of installation: the manufacturer produces products with adhesive pre-applied to the surface of the brackets - special dental glue. This greatly simplifies the procedure for installing an orthodontic appliance. It’s easier not only for the doctor, but also for the patient – he will have to spend almost half as much time in the orthodontist’s chair,
- reliability of fixation: thanks to the unique structure of the base of the plates, which is characterized by porosity, the braces follow the shape of the teeth and are securely fixed in the oral cavity,
- minimal risk of an allergic reaction: for the manufacture of braces, a nickel-titanium alloy is used, which in extremely rare cases can provoke the development of allergic reactions,
- short adaptation period: the compact dimensions of the structure and smoothed edges allow the patient to quickly and painlessly get used to the presence of a foreign body in his mouth. Even during the first time after installation, patients do not notice any significant discomfort or severe pain,
- ease of maintaining hygiene: the open structure of the bracket system provides free access to the locks, which greatly facilitates hygiene procedures,
- speed of treatment: the fastening elements of the system guarantee reliable fixation of the arch in the lock and at the same time allow it to move freely when the pressure on the elements of the dentition changes. In other words, the design provides uniform impact on all teeth, which, in turn, helps to quickly correct defects and minimize the pain of treatment.
Hardware
The popularity of metal systems is very high and this is dictated, first of all, by their availability and reliability, but a considerable number of patients refuse them for aesthetic reasons. The choice is up to each patient, the decision about which system to install is up to him, but it is worth remembering that if we are not talking about representatives of public professions, then it is rational to give preference to such systems and Smart Clip braces as well.
Self-ligating Smart Clip bracket system
A distinctive feature of these systems is that they have a mechanism that latches itself. You can ligate the arch at your discretion, since this is required for therapeutic reasons. The passivity of the system can significantly reduce the friction force and, accordingly, improve sliding mechanics. It is these factors that play a decisive role in providing maximum effect in treatment.
Finally, it is worth adding that Smart Clip braces are perfectly combined with the Clarity SL self-ligating system, which makes it possible to expand the possibilities of therapy and achieve excellent results.
Operating principle
Braces are non-ligature structures and make it possible to fix the arch without preliminary blocking. This made it possible to move dental units with minimal pressure on them, which other models cannot provide.
In addition, the systems create additional comfort, eliminating thorn processes caused by ligatures that are supplied with all standard devices.
Smart Clip – braces with two clips on metal frames are characterized by a high degree of passivity. Treatment with their use is an affordable and simple option for eliminating bite defects of any complexity or degree of progression.
The principle of operation is based on moving teeth in the desired direction in the following way. Alignment of pathology is based only on the tension force without increasing it with pressure.
This technique is the most natural and physiological of all those used in orthodontic practice.
During the use of braces, each individual organ is protected from external negative influences , and the reliability and ease of fastening make it possible not to damage the integrity of the enamel, keeping it strong and healthy.
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Advantages
The basic principle of the therapeutic effect of the structures lies in their vestibular attachment, when dental tension is provided, not accompanied by pressure.
The main advantages of using these systems are:
- self-ligating design principle , which reduces the risk of mechanical injury to the soft tissues of the labial area and cheek area in the process of chewing food fragments;
- convenient size of braces and comfortable design of clasps;
- the use of systems provides a higher level of therapeutic effect compared to wearing standard devices;
- indicated for use for any pathological deviations in the structure of the bite , which provides a wide range of uses for wearing braces;
- eliminate even anomalies that are in an advanced stage of the flow;
- manufacturer - a brand that is superior in quality to analogue versions of competing enterprises , firmly occupying a leading position in the global market for the production of orthodontic structures, and for many decades has been confirming in practice the reliability, quality, safety and durability of its products;
- in the process of attaching the model, there is no need for amputation of organs that prevent the installation of braces due to the lack of free space;
- the number of visits to the clinic is significantly reduced;
- the external aesthetic content of the designs is an order of magnitude higher than the analogue options offered by other manufacturers;
- shorter system installation times and simple rules for its dismantling.
Which metal braces should you choose?
The choice of the type of metal braces is mainly determined by the clinical case: the doctor will take into account the type of malocclusion and select the appropriate options, taking into account individual characteristics and wishes. The ligature bracket system is usually recommended in difficult cases and when it is necessary to achieve results in a short time. Self-ligating ones will cost more, but wearing such a design is more comfortable - they have a simpler and shorter adaptation period.
Orthodontists at the Dentist-K dental clinic will tell you how different types of braces differ and will help you choose the most optimal way to correct your bite, which will allow you to solve your orthodontic problem as quickly, effectively and painlessly as possible.
Procedure for installing metal braces
Before installing metal braces, preparation is carried out. The diagnostic stage includes not only X-rays of the jaws, but also an examination of the oral cavity by a doctor. If symptoms of disease are detected, it is important to contact a specialized dentist - for example, a periodontist for gum disease or a general dentist for caries.
As part of the diagnostic stage, photographs are often taken from different angles. The orthodontist will also take impressions of the jaws to make a plaster model in a dental laboratory.
Professional teeth cleaning is mandatory - removing tartar and soft plaque. A smooth enamel surface is an important condition for reliable fixation of braces.
The doctor develops an orthodontic treatment plan taking into account all available data. After the diagnostic stage, the metal braces are directly fixed. The doctor glues the bracket to each tooth one at a time, securing it with dental glue using the light of a UV lamp. If the installation of locks is carried out indirectly - simultaneously - the procedure lasts no more than an hour. When using the direct method, it can take up to 2 hours. Then the orthodontist connects the clasps and the arch using clamps or ligatures. If necessary, additional elements are fixed at the end - rings, hooks, etc.
In many cases, braces are first installed on the upper jaw, and only after a few weeks - on the lower jaw. But it also happens that braces are fixed simultaneously on the upper and lower teeth. Less often, installation on only one jaw is sufficient - this option is relevant only for cases of slight curvature of the teeth that does not affect the patient’s occlusion or bite.
Flaws
The design does not have any disadvantages that could become an obstacle to their installation. It is, as far as possible, adapted to the physiological structure of the maxillofacial apparatus.
At the same time, patients who want to have a completely invisible system will not be able to do this - despite all the innovativeness of the model, it contains metal components. They can be considered among the aesthetic shortcomings of the Smart Clip.
In addition, during operation a person will experience a certain physical discomfort, and although it is an order of magnitude lower than the painful rehabilitation manifestations of standard structures, it is impossible to avoid unpleasant moments during the treatment process.
And finally, the cost of braces. Devices that level bite defects are not cheap due to the high cost of materials used in the manufacturing process. The designs discussed in this article are no exception.
Write a comment
Zhenya
December 17, 2016 at 10:49 am
Oh, I really dreamed of getting braces from this company, the orthodontist who gave me braces praised her very much, but at that time I didn’t have that kind of money, they are of course very expensive. A friend of mine got braces from Smart Clip and wore braces much less than me, because... These expensive braces straighten your teeth faster. Their only drawback is, of course, the expensive price.
Artemy
December 19, 2016 at 1:12 am
Every time I read another article about new products in dentistry, I think that dentistry is the fastest growing branch of medicine and science in general.
