Treatment Duration & Occlusal Outcome Using Damon 3 Self-ligated & Conventional Orthodontic Bracket Systems

By: S. Jack Burrow

Private practice orthodontics Charlotte, NC

 Adjunct Professor of Orthodontics at UNC Chapel Hill

Research published in American Journal of Dentofacial Orthodedics

Title: Duration of Treatment and Occlusal Outcome Using Damon3 Self-ligated and Conventional Orthodontic Bracket Systems in Extraction Patients: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

Authors: A.T. Dibose, I.H. Nusr,et al.

Manufactures of self-ligating brackets and some orthodontists claim that the Damon3 bracket system results in reduced treatment time and reduced number of visits. This research was conducted to see if the claims were supported by research or if just marketing claims.

 Research Model: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial consisting of 48 patients undergoing comprehensive orthodontics. The objective was to compare Damon3 brackets with conventional edgewise brackets in terms of overall treatment time, number of visits and final result using the peer assessment rating index (PAR).

Result: The bracket system used had no effect on overall treatment time, number of visits or differences in PAR.

 Conclusion: The use of Damon 3 Bracket systems was not more efficient nor resulted in better outcomes than conventional brackets.

 This is more research that agrees with previous studies that have come to the same conclusion, i.e., Damon brackets are not more efficient than conventional brackets. This is just one more research paper that reminds us that we need to continue scientific research to evaluate claims that are not valid.