Damon braces have been a part of orthodontic care for more than two decades, and yet some of the most common questions patients bring into their first consultation at East Cobb Orthodontics are built on misconceptions about how Damon works, what it can accomplish, and how it differs from conventional braces. Sorting through the confusion matters — because patients who understand what Damon braces actually are and what makes them different are in a much better position to evaluate whether they’re the right choice for their specific situation.
Dr. John Iaculli has been serving patients throughout Marietta, Dunwoody, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and the surrounding East Cobb communities since 2013, bringing advanced training from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and the orthodontic program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a specialist in both Invisalign and Damon braces — and his ability to offer both systems with genuine expertise means every patient receives a recommendation based on clinical assessment, not on what the practice happens to stock. Here is what patients most commonly get wrong about Damon braces.
Myth: Damon braces are just regular braces with a different name.
Damon braces are fundamentally different from conventional braces in their bracket design — and that design difference has meaningful clinical implications. Conventional braces use elastic ties or metal ligatures to attach the archwire to each bracket, which creates friction between the wire and the bracket as the wire moves teeth. That friction resistance has to be overcome by the force applied to the teeth, which means more wire tension, more pressure, and more frequent adjustment appointments to maintain treatment momentum.
Damon brackets use a passive self-ligating mechanism — a built-in slide that holds the archwire loosely within the bracket rather than tying it in place. This dramatically reduces the friction between wire and bracket, allowing the wire to express its full force more efficiently and with lower overall pressure applied to any individual tooth. The practical effect is lighter forces, more continuous tooth movement, and a gentler treatment experience for many patients.
Myth: Damon braces work faster because they use more force.
The counterintuitive truth is that Damon’s advantage comes from using less force more efficiently, not more. The self-ligating design allows the archwire to move teeth continuously and gently rather than in the incremental, higher-force adjustments required by conventional ligature-tied braces. Many patients find that Damon treatment feels less intense after adjustments — less soreness and shorter periods of post-appointment discomfort — precisely because the force applied is lighter and more distributed.
Whether this translates to a meaningfully shorter overall treatment time depends on the individual case and the complexity of tooth movements required. For many patients, Damon treatment is completed in a comparable or slightly reduced timeframe compared to conventional braces — but the more consistent patient-reported benefit is comfort during treatment rather than a dramatic reduction in duration.
Myth: Damon braces don’t need to be adjusted as often.
This is partially true and worth clarifying. The interval between Damon appointments is often longer than the typical 4-6 week schedule of conventional braces — in many cases extending to 6-10 weeks between visits. This is because the self-ligating system maintains more continuous force on the teeth between appointments, reducing the frequency at which the wire needs to be changed or tension refreshed.
However, longer appointment intervals do not mean less clinical oversight. Dr. Iaculli monitors tooth movement closely at every Damon appointment, evaluating the bite, tooth positions, and treatment progress with the same rigor as any braces patient. The reduced frequency of visits is a convenience benefit, not a reduction in the quality or attentiveness of care. Patients who assume longer intervals mean the treatment is “running itself” tend to be surprised by how actively involved Dr. Iaculli is at each visit.
Myth: Damon braces are significantly more expensive than conventional braces.
At East Cobb Orthodontics, the difference in investment between Damon and conventional metal braces is not as substantial as many patients assume before their consultation. The value equation for Damon — which includes fewer appointments, consistent comfort levels throughout treatment, and the clinical advantages of the self-ligating system — is worth examining in total cost and experience rather than initial sticker price alone.
Dr. Iaculli provides full, transparent treatment investment information during consultations and works with patients to identify financing options that make treatment accessible regardless of budget. The consultation itself is complimentary, which means there’s no cost to finding out exactly what treatment would involve and what it would cost for your specific situation.
Myth: Damon braces are mostly for teens and don’t work as well for adults.
Damon braces are an excellent treatment option for adult patients, and in some respects the lower-force mechanics are particularly well-suited to adult orthodontics. Adult bone is denser and less responsive to the higher forces that conventional braces apply — which is one reason adult orthodontic treatment with conventional systems sometimes produces more discomfort and requires longer timelines. The lighter, more continuous forces of Damon’s self-ligating mechanism work well within the biological constraints of adult bone, which is more responsive to gentle, sustained pressure than to periodic high-force adjustments.
Adults represent a significant and growing proportion of the patient population at East Cobb Orthodontics. Many of these patients are pursuing orthodontic treatment for the first time; others had treatment as teenagers and are addressing shifting or relapse. Dr. Iaculli develops treatment plans for adult patients that take into account existing dental work, gum and bone health, and lifestyle considerations — areas where his experience as a specialist in both Damon and Invisalign is particularly valuable.
Myth: If you have Damon braces, you can’t also get Invisalign later.
These are separate treatment systems, and completing Damon treatment does not preclude future clear aligner therapy in any way. Some patients complete comprehensive Damon treatment and then use clear aligner refinements to address minor post-treatment shifts. Others may transition from Damon to retainers at the conclusion of treatment, with no subsequent orthodontic intervention needed.
The relationship between different treatment systems comes up most often in the context of relapse — patients who had braces years ago and have noticed their teeth shifting. In these cases, Dr. Iaculli evaluates both Damon and Invisalign as options and recommends the approach most likely to efficiently address the degree of correction needed, without the bias of being limited to only one.
Myth: Any orthodontist who offers Damon braces will get the same results.
Damon braces are a system, not an outcome. The bracket design provides the mechanical advantage described above, but the quality of tooth movement, bite correction, and final result is determined by the expertise of the orthodontist designing and executing the treatment plan. The training required to develop the clinical judgment to use Damon effectively — particularly in complex cases involving significant bite correction, asymmetry, or surgical orthodontics — goes well beyond simply purchasing the brackets.
Dr. Iaculli’s specialty training at the University of Illinois at Chicago orthodontic program, combined with more than a decade of dedicated orthodontic practice and his continuing education commitment, is what allows him to use the Damon system to its full capability rather than as a simple substitution for conventional braces.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation at East Cobb Orthodontics
Whether you’re curious about Damon braces, considering Invisalign, or simply want an expert assessment of your orthodontic options, Dr. Iaculli and the East Cobb Orthodontics team are here to answer your questions without pressure or obligation. We serve patients throughout Marietta, Dunwoody, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Woodstock, and Atlanta. Our practice is located at 2810 Lassiter Road in Marietta. Call us at (770) 993-7118 to schedule your complimentary consultation and get the honest information you need to make the best decision for your smile.