Advantages of self ligating brackets

• Self-ligating braces can speed up the first stage of orthodontics (alignment) because initially there is a little less friction
between the wires and the metal doors when teeth are rotating and straightening out.
• More certain full arch wire engagement.
• Low friction between bracket and arch wire. Self-ligating bracket design permit the use of lighter force levels and impart
lower frictional forces compared with ligated brackets. Friction during tooth translation is reduced significantly, due to
elimination of steel or elastic ligatures.
• Less chair side assistance and faster arch wire removal and ligation.
• Reduced overall treatment time.
• Self-ligating brackets has been reported to reduce the risk of percutaneous injury and the potential for transmission of
hepatitis B virus, hepatitis c virus, or human immunodeficiency virus for the orthodontist and the support staff, self-
ligation decreases the possibility of soft tissue laceration and infection from the cut end of ligature ties.
• Self ligating brackets can also be superior to conventional appliances in treating patients with complications such as
hemophilia , swollen gingival tissue due to persistent mouth breathing.
• More efficient treatment (fewer appointments and increased intervals between appointments)
• Hygienic. The metal doors are a little smaller than the elastic ties so they can be a bit easier to clean in some cases. Most
patients, however, will still need elastic chains at some point (to close spaces) during treatment, so this advantage only
applies to few patients.
 Disadvantage of self ligating brackets
• Door fatigue. Over time, self-ligating doors can fatigue, which means
they don’t stay closed and we have to use regular ties anyway.
• Cost. Self-ligating braces are more expensive, and that cost is passed
to the patient. If they were superior, it would be worth the cost. Since
they are not superior, it is not worth making the patient pay more.
• Because of their low friction design, some practitioners feel they have
trouble expressing the minor tooth movements necessary to finish
cases (Harradine,2006).
• The increased size of self ligating brackets can also cause occlusal
interferences, particularly in the lower anterior position.