Treatments & Appliances

6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics

Start researching braces and "self-ligating" shows up quickly, usually wrapped in words like advanced, faster, and more comfortable. It's a real technology with real advantages, and also a lot of marketing piled on top. I use these braces when they fit, so here's the grounded version: what self-ligating actually means, the one distinction almost nobody explains to patients, and whether the upgrade earns its price. If you're specifically weighing the Damon brand, I break that one down in our Damon braces guide.

What self-ligating actually means

On traditional braces, a small elastic tie holds the archwire into each bracket, the colored band your orthodontist swaps at every visit. Self-ligating brackets replace that tie with a tiny built-in gate or clip that snaps over the wire. That's the core difference. No tie means less to change at each appointment and one fewer thing trapping plaque along the bracket.

Active vs. passive self-ligation: the part nobody explains

Here's what the brochures skip. Self-ligating brackets come in two designs, and the difference actually matters:

Neither is "better" on its own. A thoughtful plan often starts passive for comfort while teeth are crowded, then shifts to more active control as things line up. This is exactly the kind of decision that depends on the orthodontist reading your case, not on a product name.

The brands you'll run into

Several companies make self-ligating systems, and patients hear a handful of names:

• Damon (by Ormco) is the most heavily marketed, a passive system. We cover its specific claims in our Damon braces guide.
• Others include Empower, In-Ovation, and Clarity SL, with both passive and active options.
• Ceramic self-ligating brackets exist too, for patients who want a lower-profile, less visible look closer to clear braces.

Real pros, honest cons, and the verdict

• Pros: no elastic ties (quicker adjustments, easier to keep clean), a low-profile look, and less friction on the wire in theory.
• Cons: they usually cost more than standard metal braces, there are no colored ties to pick, and the research doesn't back claims of dramatically faster treatment or fewer total visits.

So are they worth it? For a lot of adults who want a clean look and a slightly lower-maintenance experience, yes. For a kid who'd love changing colors every month, maybe not. And if a practice is pitching self-ligating braces as a shortcut nothing else can match, take that with a grain of salt. We offer them alongside traditional braces, clear braces, and clear aligners, and we match the tool to your case.

Frequently asked questions