Damon Braces and Damon Clear Braces
What are Damon System Braces?
Regular braces (metal braces, gold braces, lingual braces, hidden braces or invisible custom made Incognito Braces) require elastics to hold arch wires in place. Elastics are like bungee cords, which cause friction and pressure, making treatment slower and less comfortable. Damon System self-ligating braces (no elastic ties to hold the arch wire in place) are smaller, more comfortable to the lips and cheek and use a slide mechanism that eliminates the friction so teeth move faster and require fewer adjustments, shorter appointment time in our office and shorter (about 6 months less) total treatment time.
The Damon 3 Video and PowerPoint Presentation explain the advantages of Damon 3 Braces.
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| Damon Clear Braces with Damon metal self ligating braces | Actual patient with Damon Clear Braces on her teeth |
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| Traditional Metal Braces | Damon Hybrid Braces |
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Will my child's teeth straighten as they grow?
The space available for teeth in the mouth does not increase with age; therefore, there won't be any opportunity for your child's teeth to straighten without orthodontic treatment. The fact is, after the molars erupt (usually in the sixth year), the space in the mouth actually gets smaller as the child grows older. If your child has crowded teeth, it's best to come in for a FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION sooner (age 7) rather than later.
Can my family dentist do Damon Braces?
Your family general dentist may have taken some additional weekend training seminars to do orthodontics. Your general dentist is obliged to assume professional dental care for all of his patients. He or she knows what he or she is adequately skilled to do. You can trust your general dentist to do what he or she does well and refer you to a specialist for work needed beyond his or her scope of training.
Orthodontists are dentists that complete at least two additional years of very comprehensive full time specialized university training. They handle the simplest as well as the most complicated orthodontic problems, which most general dentists are typically not qualified to treat.
Unfortunately some COSMETIC DENTISTS remove so much tooth structure in an attempt to improve the appearance of the teeth that the trauma kills the teeth and root canal treatment is needed to save the dead teeth. This adds more cost. Orthodontic treatment can prevent this from happening and usually costs much less.
One of the great advantages of the Damon System is that Dr. David Alpan, an Orthodontist, can straighten teeth and improve the smile for many patients without removing (extracting) any teeth.
Do I need to be referred by a general dentist?
No, you do not need to be referred to Dr. David Alpan, an orthodontist at Aesthetic Orthodontics, by a general dentist, although many general or family dentists refer many of their patients to us. If you have concerns about the health or appearance of your or your child's teeth, smile, or facial development and would like a FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION, you may schedule an appointment now.
<<Back to topHow do I schedule my first appointment?
1. Call us immediately at one of the telephone numbers at the bottom of every page on our website OR click on the email links next to the phone numbers to send us an email OR
2. Schedule an appointment online OR
3. Click on Contact Us where you'll find the phone, fax, email address and map of our three locations AND
4. Click the Gold Star on the left menu bar to access and complete the New Patient Forms. After completing the forms, please bring them with you to your first appointment.
<<Back to topWhat is the fee for the initial consultation?
Your initial consultation is FREE because we consider it to be an important first step in your orthodontic and general health and a great opportunity to welcome you into our family.
<<Back to topDo we still need to see our family dentist?
Yes, you still need to see your general dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances can find it difficult to keep their teeth clean. Your family dentist will advise you as to how often to come in for check-ups. Check out Cleaning Tips for more information on how to keep your mouth as clean as possible to prevent caries, inflamed and bleeding gums and bone loss around your teeth.
<<Back to topWhat foods do I have to avoid?
Fortunately, there are only a few foods that should be avoided while in braces - primarily hard foods and sticky foods. For example, foods such as peanut brittle and candied apples can not only be very difficult to clean from braces but can even loosen bands and brackets or break them and bend or break the arch wires. There are many more foods that you can eat than those you can't.
If you qualify for invisalign treatment, you will not have to avoid any foods because there will be no fixed brackets, bands or wires to loosen, break or bend. You may still feel more comfortable eating soft foods at times
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How long will I be in treatment?
There are a number of factors that determine how long you will wear Damon System braces, but in most cases you'll be ready to show off your new smile in about 18-24 months. With the Damon System, treatment is faster, easier and more comfortable for the patient all the time. You will require fewer office visits, less time per visit, and an overall shorter treatment time. Dr. David Alpan may even be able to prevent the need to remove teeth with the Damon System.
Damon System braces are used to straighten your teeth gradually, not overnight, so a little patience is needed. Just remember, any discomfort you may feel will be brief. Because no elastics are used to hold the arch wire in the Damon brackets, there is less friction so your teeth move faster and with less discomfort. In some patients, the Damon System can also prevent extractions (tooth removal) and the pain experienced with Rapid Palatal Expansion appliances.
Please remember that your beautiful, healthy smile will last a lifetime after our orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan, straightens your teeth.
Will a retainer be necessary?
Wearing a retainer after Damon System braces treatment is an important step, because it keeps the teeth stable after the active orthodontic appliance is removed at the end of treatment. Without retainers, your teeth would return to their old "crooked ways." If you want your teeth to remain in their ideal positions for the rest of your life, it would be best to wear a retainer that long. Some orthodontic retainers can be attached to your teeth permanently. The ideal retainer is made of a clear plastic removable material that fits on your teeth like a glove on your hand that can be worn at home and while you are sleeping.
Retainers are the cheapest form of insurance around. If you lose your retainer, it is cheaper to replace it IMMEDIATELY than to do your orthodontic treatment over again. As the saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it." The corollary to this saying is, "If you lose it, you can't use it." Then you'd better get a new one IMMEDIATELY so you won't have to "dooz it" over again.
What is the fee for Damon System Braces treatment?
Everyone that has received a FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION at any one of our offices has always been able to afford to have Dr. David Alpan treat them - without exception.The total cost varies for each person depending on the complexity of the orthodontic problem. Because our modern materials and techniques often require fewer visits, you might be surprised how affordable your orthodontic treatment can be.
A beautiful, healthy smile is one of the best investments you can make in your or your child's future. To help you fit this investment into your budget, we offer a variety of payment methods:
- In-house financing with no interest - an appropriate down payment and the remaining balance paid over your treatment time.
- Outside financing that offers no down payment and low monthly fees paid over your treatment time.
- Payment in full before treatment begins with a courtesy bookkeeping discount.
- Automatic Credit Card payments. All major credit cards accepted.
- Most major insurance plans. We will fill out the necessary paperwork for you.
- Medi-Cal patients are examined. Medi-Cal decides for whom they will pay.
During your initial FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION, our Treatment Coordinator will be happy to explain all the financial options to you and work with you to customize a payment plan that fits your needs.
