The difference between self-locking bracket and non-self-locking bracket

The difference between self-locking and non-locking is that there are some differences in fixation methods, follow-up time, patient comfort and correction efficiency.

1, fixed mode

Self-ligating brackets have their own locks, and brackets need archwires, so we can use the locks on self-ligating brackets to clamp archwires, while non-self-ligating brackets have no locks to clamp tiny archwires, so we must use very small stainless steel ligatures to tie archwires.

Self-locking bracket

2. Return visit time

The orthodontic force of self-locking bracket is gentle and continuous, and the friction force is low. Therefore, the time interval of self-locking brackets is generally about one and a half months to two months, and the time of non-self-locking brackets is about one month. From the function of orthodontic treatment, self-locking brackets have a certain effect on expanding the arch during orthodontic treatment.

3. Patient comfort

Non-self-ligating brackets may have the possibility of tiny ligatures piercing oral mucosa and gums, while self-ligating brackets do not have this possibility, so the comfort of self-ligating brackets will be better than that of self-ligating brackets.

Non-locking bracket

4. Correction efficiency

There are ligature wires around ordinary brackets, but there are no ligature wires around self-locking brackets. In the process of ligating ordinary brackets, it is easy to produce some friction artificially. The greater the friction, the longer the correction time. However, the self-locking bracket can reduce certain friction, make the teeth move faster and reduce the correction time because it does not need ligature wire.

The ligature-free characteristic of self-locking bracket appliance greatly reduces the friction resistance between bracket and archwire, makes it easier to squeeze out teeth, closes the extraction gap and greatly shortens the course of treatment.