The Damon System: how do these braces straighten your teeth?

Written in association with: Dr Chaw-Su Kyi
Published: | Updated: 06/06/2023
Edited by: Nicholas Howley

Braces can result in perfectly straight teeth – but the discomfort involved in wearing them is often a turn-off for patients. Is there another way? We spoke to London-based specialist orthodontist Dr Chaw-Su Kyi about the brand new Damon System – a type of braces that works without elastics and can result in fewer trips to the orthodontist.

Dr Chaw-Su Kyi and a dental nurse discussing the Damon System with a patient

What makes Damon System braces different?

Conventional fixed braces require an elastic to hold the wire in place. The elastic exerts a frictional force which has to be overcome before the wire is able to work and move your teeth.

 

Self-ligating braces , like the Damon System braces, on the other hand, are able to hold the wire in place without the need for an elastic. This means the wire is able to move freely from the outset, to allow your teeth to move freely and comfortably.

 

As the brackets are self-ligating, the wire is continually working – allowing you to have longer intervals between your appointments. With these braces we can see you every 10-12 weeks rather than every 6-8 weeks to minimise the disruption to your normal daily schedules.

 

 

What are the advantages of Damon braces?

The main advantages of Damon braces are that the teeth can move slightly quicker and with fewer orthodontic visits during your treatment. As a result, your treatment may be potentially shorter, and you will have less disruption to your personal diary with longer appointment intervals between your orthodontic adjustments during treatment.

 

Finally, the brackets are smaller, and without elastics they are much easier to keep clean.

 

 

What are the disadvantages of Damon braces?

Damon braces are discreet with the option of clear brackets, but as the brace is on the outside of the teeth, not invisible like Incognito braces. If you would prefer Incognito braces we can offer these as well.

 

 

Are the results of Damon braces long-lasting?

Often we can allow a small amount of ‘widening’ or expansion with Damon braces but this can be done while maintaining a natural looking smile. The key to success is planning the case and fitting the braces correctly.

 

 

Will a retainer be required after Damon braces are removed?

Retainers are always required after any type of orthodontic treatment. This ensures that the teeth stay in position and do not “relapse” - i.e. move back to their original place. We will always provide a fixed and removable retainer following brace removal.

 

 

 

If you're interested in Damon braces, arrange a consultation with Dr Kyi via her Top Doctors profile

By Dr Chaw-Su Kyi
Orthodontics

Dr Chaw-Su Kyi is a London Specialist Orthodontist who specialises only in orthodontic brace treatments. Dr Kyi has considerable experience in all brace and teeth straightening options from working in multiple world class London hospitals. She won an impressive quadruple distinction at Guy’s, King’s and St.Thomas’s Medical School, and received a prestigious distinction in her Orthodontics Masters degree. Following this, she has continued to deliver exceptional care and excellence to all her patients. She runs her own private clinic, West London Orthodontist Cosmetic Dental Studios.

As a means to deliver exceptional quality care, Dr Kyi set up her own practice where she could also develop innovative techniques that match the unique necessities of each of her patients. One of these technologies is the iTero scanner, which provides both 2D colour images and 3D laser scanning of teeth without any discomfort in only one minute. All structures of the tooth and mouth cavity are imaged, allowing Dr Kyi to give a full clinical evaluation of gingivitis, tooth structure, provide a dental impression, and more. Dr Kyi uses this technology beyond the initial scan, as it is also used to follow the progress of the patient over years.
 
By concentrating only on orthodontics, Dr Kyi has been able to set herself apart from general dentists who typically perform many other procedures. A unique treatment is the "Incognito" braces (lingual braces), which of whom Dr Kyi is one of only a few orthodontists in London who offer this. She has been offering this service for more than 10 years, invariably giving her an in-depth understanding of how the technology works and how it is best suited for her patients. Dr Kyi is a Platinum User of the Incognito braces, as well as a Platinum Provider for Invisalign; meaning she has not only treated a significant number of patients with these technologies, but she has also received extensive training. In addition to her knowledge and expertise in orthodontic technology, Dr Kyi is a championing advocate for intervention in children to determine long-term solutions rather than difficult treatments later in life. This type of care for her patients is one of the many reasons she has received multiple awards.

Dr Kyi was most recently recognised as the Best Specialist Orthodontist of the Year in London 2020, awarded by The Oral Health and Dentistry Awards. This organisation recognises progress, effort, and enterprise amongst those in her field within the UK. Dr Kyi provides unbiased treatment, takes on patients who have been declined at other clinics, and continuously develops the best technologies for the best treatments.

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