Self Ligating Braces

Today’s braces are smaller, sleeker, and more polished than ever before!

Older, traditional metal braces require an elastic ‘o-shaped’ rubber band, called a ligature to hold the arch wire onto the bracket. These elastic ties collect more plaque and bacteria, making it harder for patients to clean the teeth and gums.

We use “Self Ligating Braces”. You may have also heard of them as “speed braces”. Self-ligating means that the brackets do not need the little ‘o-shaped’ rubber bands (ligatures) or metal tie wires to hold the arch wire onto the bracket as they have built in clips. We offer both metal and clear options to all our patients.

By using Self-Ligation technology we offer our patients the following benefits:

– Less discomfort due to the low friction system
– Fewer appointments in treatment
– Easier to keep clean
– Faster treatment times

At Center City Orthodontics, we use an advanced self-ligating bracket,
called Empower. It utilizes a special built-in clip. The pressure from specific types of arch wires activates the clip and delivers specific amounts of force to each tooth, resulting in fast, directed results.

We are very excited about the hygiene benefits of these self-closing or tie-free braces. Patients are excited that their braces are small, smooth, low friction and straighten their teeth in fewer visits with less discomfort than braces with wires that are “tied-in.”