Q: Is there any research supporting the Damon System of Braces claim to have less discomfort (pain) than other types of braces?

Dr. Herman's Answer: A recent study gave some more insight to this question. The study was on friction within several self ligating types of braces. These types of braces don’t use wires around the brace to tighten. The study measured “kinetic friction” or friction between the braces (bracket) and the wire. The study found that the passive self ligation system by Damon had, by a large amount, the lowest amount of friction. This is important because friction can make the force used by an orthodontist to move teeth to be lost in overcoming friction rather than moving teeth. So an orthodontist increases force in high friction systems. To the patient more force usually means increased soreness (pain).