We use Damon Clear braces in our office for patients who want a more discreet looking bracket! The Damon clear bracket uses self-ligating technology, meaning there is a ceramic door that opens and closes over the wire. The most important part of this self ligating “door” is that we do not need the traditional clear ties that go around the bracket to hold the wire in. This is important for a couple of reasons:
- The wire will still be visible
- The clear elastic tie will stain
Adults often complain about staining of the clear tie around the bracket due to dark colored foods and coffee. With Damon Clear braces, we do not have to worry about the elastic ties staining. The other positive is that our self ligating door will apply less force to the tooth and make sensitivity potentially lower.
Damon Clear brackets are made from PCA (polycrystalline alumina) which is an inert material that does not stain. Although the Damon clear brackets themselves do not discolor, the adhesive or glue that bonds the brackets to your teeth has the potential to stain. Due to the translucency of the clear brackets, if the bonding material becomes stained, it can look like the bracket itself is discolored.
There are many things that you can do at home to prevent staining on your clear ceramic braces including practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding certain foods. To maintain healthy oral hygiene, we recommend brushing your teeth and braces after each meal and flossing at least once a day. To prevent discoloration, it is best to avoid foods and drinks that can cause staining including red wine, coffee, tea, pasta sauces, turmeric, etc.
If you do end up having your clear braces become stained or yellow, we can help decrease this in our office. We have invested in ProphyFlex from Ormco that we use on adults that encounter staining. This is a healthy way to clear any staining on the tooth surrounding the bracket and is a new technology that our patients are loving!
