The Damon System Philosophy

The Damon philosophy recognizes that to limit diagnosis exclusively to hard-tissue cephalometric criteria ignores soft-tissue symmetry. Of course, achieving the best facial balance possible must be done in conjunction with conventional treatment goals. The Damon System offers a unique mechanical system – a passive conduit – that permits low forces to work in conjunction with the muscles of the face, tongue, bone and tissue. Low forces minimize discomfort and greatly increase the types of cases that can be treated to a symmetrical facial result without high-force expansion or extractions.

Message from Dr. Dwight Damon

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to lecture in many parts of the world. It is very interesting and informative to observe the reaction of clinicians when exposed to a “new way of looking at our clinical force systems.” I have been very proud of so many in our profession who have constantly been seeking a better way to help take patient care to a higher level. After spending nearly 20 years carefully evaluating the rationale of my clinical mechanics, it became very apparent that I was using a force system that was simply not “biologically sensible.” It made very little sense to be using a bracket system to move teeth along an archwire that was tightly tied. To overpower this binding and friction, we have found it nearly impossible to use forces that are consistent with biologic principles of tooth movement.

I would encourage clinicians not to look at this technology as only a new bracket. It is a system that has been developed to try to match each phase of treatment with the natural force systems of normal growth and development. It is so apparent that if the clinician can apply the appropriate biologic force at the right time of treatment, the impact can have a profound positive effect on efficient tooth movement.

Any change that comes along in our lives can be very challenging to accept. This simply is human nature. Think of how long it took clinicians to accept the incredible advancements of the Straight-Wire Appliance or direct bonding of brackets to teeth. All of these changes have been paradigm shifts in our thinking. It is human nature to be uncomfortable with change. I was encouraged recently to hear a world renown researcher and academician say, “It is time for clinicians to treatment plan looking at the face.” If the clinician thinks of this new technology only in terms of a “bracket” and uses conventional mechanics and treatment planning, the benefits of minimizing friction and binding has been shown through research to be a 25% decrease in treatment time. However, the big change comes when the clinician utilizes this low-force system to expand treatment planning options. Hopefully the Damon System will encourage clinicians to challenge their own thought process and take their patient care to a higher level. This higher level of care is about “face-driven orthodontics” achieved more efficiently and with greater patient comfort.