Damon Braces

Damon braces are self-ligating appliances that are fitted in the same way as traditional metal braces. But instead of having brackets that tighten and adjust the braces regularly, Damon braces use a slide mechanism that attaches wires to brackets to move naturally with the teeth as they realign. This makes them more comfortable, better looking and able to provide strong results in a shorter time.
These braces use a different method for moving teeth into the right position. The braces are attached to memory wire that connects slide brackets without the pressure that traditional elastics often produce. They are then set to move your teeth gradually, tightening over time. The process uses less force than traditional braces, which often require supplemental treatment through tooth extractions and palatal expanders.

Advantages

• Damon braces have a number of benefits over traditional braces. These include:
• Appearance. Their clear brackets make them more aesthetically pleasing because they are virtually invisible.
• Faster treatment time. A comparative study showed patients finished their treatment 7.2 months earlier than those with traditional braces.
• Less in-office maintenance. The study showed patients needed nearly half as many appointments to have the appliances adjusted manually.
• Less pressure on the teeth, resulting in less pain. Patients reported 60 percent less discomfort with Damon braces.
• Less friction, which avoids erosion and deterioration of the teeth.
• Fewer places for plaque and bacteria to accumulate on the braces. 
• Clinical studies have found that Damon braces are more effective at correcting severe crowding, are more comfortable and have a lower relapse rate, according to Apple Orthodontix.

Cost

Damon braces can cost anywhere from $3,800 to $8,000, depending on the degree of correction you need. Most dental insurance plans and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can be allocated to treatment with Damon braces. You can also look for an orthodontist who offers a payment plan for the treatment.

Disadvantages

• Damon braces aren't all perfect. Unfortunately, they also:
• Have metal wires that are visible to others, so you can't escape the metal-mouth look entirely. However, you can opt for Damon Clear to avoid the metal brackets and minimize the visibility of the braces even further.
• Are irritating to wear for the first few days until you get used to them, according to the Friendly Dental group.
• Cost more than traditional braces.

Other clear aligners such as Invisalign® also offer the opportunity to straighten teeth without wearing traditional metal braces. Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign, however, which is most effectively used when you only need mild correction.

So what are damon braces? An orthodontic option for those looking for an alternative to traditional braces. But remember, only accredited orthodontic professionals can fit Damon braces, so be sure to do your homework before pursuing your new smile.

SOURCE: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/adult-orthodontics/article/sw-281474979322253

Finally Got My Braces

Today was the big day and I finally got my braces on. I got the braces that use "doors" not rubber bands. I really don't know the difference but the orthodontist asked if mined getting those. He explained why and the difference but I wasn't really paying attention. I did research them online and found out they are called Damon Braces System. Getting the braces installed was easy and took about 45 minutes. First she cleaned them but not the way the dentist does, more like a quick clean. Then she dried them. Next the Orthodontist applied the glue and brackets, then heated them with the heating tool that just made a beeping noise. Then the wire was placed in the brackets and the doors were closed. Then the she removed the stuff in my mouth that was holding it open and asked me to bite down. I really couldn't cause some of the brackets were in the way. She moved and adjusted some until I was able to close without any problems.  It was really quick and painless. I did not experience any pain, just a slight discomfort. I was able to talk normally but it was different because of the braces. Also I discovered that with braces in your mouth, your mouth produces a lot of saliva. My mouth felt full of saliva all day. You have to be careful not to spit when you talk.

Googling about Braces

15 days until I get my braces, I am so nervous. I have been reading and researching on the internet all day. This is probably not helping my apprehension about the treatment but it is good to know what to expect. I have learnt a lot of things about cleaning and brushing with braces. It's appears to be a tedious and time consuming task as I will have to brush after every mean and floss. I don't like flossing and rarely do. One thing I have learned about is a WaterPik which is basically a home version of the water jet spray that the dentist uses. I think I am going to invest in one of those but they seem so bulky even the cordless portable ones. With all the research, I began contemplating backing out of the treatment but that isn't going to happen. I am too invested in the treatment and would hate to not get the treatment.  I know this will be a long and adventitious journey and I look forward to taking it. In the meantime, I will be enjoying my last 15 days of eating whatever the F I want to. I've had a Snicker's bar everyday since my consultation. I love Snickers. Since Dr. V hasn't given me a list of foods not to eat, I really don't know what I need to indulge in but I'm sure the internet will tell me.

New Year, New Me

Today, I made a life changing first step. Well second step, I went to my Orthodontist Appointment. The first step was making the orthodontist appointment. The appointment went smoothly and the doctor and staff were very friendly.  After completing some paperwork, I went back to meet with the orthodontist, Dr. Vanderwall. He looked into my mouth and unsurprisingly he recommended a braces treatment. After the consultation, I meet with the financial coordinator to go over the cost of the treatment. With my insurance, the payment options seemed feasible to me so I gave a green light to go ahead with the treatment. We then began the compiling the diagnostic records, which consisted of "before" pictures, close up pictures of my mouth, and making a mold of my teeth. The toughest part was when the nurse stretched my cheek open to get close picture.  Then I was done for that day and scheduled to return on February 18th to get my appliances installed or braces put on in layman's terms.

I am nervous about the future dealing with braces and the life changes that come with. That's why I am reactivating my blog in hopes to document this event. I am also planning on taking daily/weekly photo selfies to document the physical changes I will undergo. I think it would be neat to see the changes daily. Besides the potential pain and discomfort and the list of food that will become off limits, I am also concerned about the possibility that this treatment plan may extend pass the estimated time frame thus increasing my cost. I am going to over look these concerns in hope of a better smile and a healthier mouth.

Here's to new beginnings and the cliche  New Year, New Me. Until next time.

When God Made Moms

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one"? And the Lord answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

"And that's just on the standard model?" The Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yes, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head, are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" the Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"Yes, she is soft", the Lord agreed, "But I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the inquisitive Angel.

The Lord smiled and replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." The Lord objected. "That is a tear!"

"What's the tear for? the Angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Truly, You do all things well... Moms are truly amazing!"

Happy Mother's Day!

By Erma Bombeck

Ten More Commandments

1. Thou shall not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
2. Thou shall not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.
3. Thou shall not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.
4. Thou shall face each problem as it comes--you can only handle one at a time anyway.
5. Thou shall not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.
6. Thou shall not borrow other people's problems. They can better care for them than you can.
7. Thou shall not try to relive yesterday for good or ill, it is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life and be happy now!
8. Thou shall be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear different ideas from your own. It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and some people do know more than you do.
9. Thou shall not become "bogged down" by frustration, for 90 percent of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action.
10. Thou shall count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.

Do Not Hurt Yourself

One night a snake, looking for food, entered a carpenter's workshop. The carpenter, who was a rather untidy man, had left several of his tools lying on the floor. One of them was a saw.

As the snake went round and round the shop, he climbed over the saw, which gave him a little cut. At once, thinking that the saw was attacking him, he turned around and bit it so hard that his mouth started to bleed. This made him very angry.

He attacked again and again until the saw was covered with blood and seemed to be dead. Dying from his own wounds, the snake decided to give one last hard bite then turned away.

The next morning the carpenter was surprised to find a dead snake on his doorstep.

Moral: Sometimes in trying to hurt others, we only hurt ourselves.