Dental model showing braces used for orthodontic treatment

A Smarter Bracket System. Built for Comfort and Efficiency

At Cranston Orthodontics, Dr. Cosmo uses only the most clinically proven, patient-forward orthodontic systems available, and the Empower^™ Self-Ligating Bracket System from American Orthodontics is one of the most sophisticated bracket technologies on the market today.

Empower^™ brackets eliminate the need for elastic ligature ties — the small rubber bands that hold the archwire to the bracket in traditional braces. In their place, a precision-engineered interactive clip built directly into each bracket secures the wire automatically, reducing friction, improving the efficiency of tooth movement, and delivering a more comfortable treatment experience at every stage.

The result is a system that works smarter, not harder — applying lighter, more biologically appropriate forces to guide teeth into alignment with less resistance, fewer appointments, and a level of clinical control that produces outstanding outcomes across a broad range of case types.

The Empower^™ System

Empower^™ — Interactive (Active) Self-Ligating Brackets

The Empower^™ Interactive bracket uses an active clip design that applies a light, consistent force to the archwire — keeping it engaged within the bracket slot and delivering more controlled, directed tooth movement. This active engagement gives Dr. Cosmo precise control over individual tooth positioning, making the Empower™ Interactive bracket particularly well-suited for the intermediate and finishing stages of treatment when fine-tuned accuracy matters most.

The active clip design is especially effective for cases involving rotation correction and torque control — two of the most technically demanding aspects of comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Empower^™ Clear — Interactive Self-Ligating in a Discreet Format

Empower^™ Clear applies the same interactive self-ligating clip technology in a tooth-colored ceramic bracket — delivering the clinical advantages of the Empower^™ system in a significantly less visible format. For patients who want the efficiency and comfort of self-ligating brackets without the appearance of metal hardware, Empower^™ Clear is an outstanding option.

The ceramic material is engineered for stain resistance and durability, and the interactive clip design means no elastic ties to discolor between appointments — keeping the appliance looking clean throughout treatment.

Portrait of a smiling teenage patient showing orthodontic treatment results

What Sets Empower^™ Apart From Traditional Brackets

The difference between Empower^™ and conventional braces comes down to one fundamental design change, and its effects ripple through the entire treatment experience.

In traditional metal braces, elastic ties hold the archwire against each bracket. These elastics create friction as the wire moves through the slot, requiring more force to achieve tooth movement, generating more soreness after adjustments, and needing replacement at every appointment. Over the course of an 18-to-24-month treatment, those friction-related inefficiencies add up significantly.

Empower^™ replaces those elastics with an active, built-in interactive clip that engages the archwire directly. The clip opens and closes with a simple instrument, no elastics required, no friction buildup, no discoloration between appointments. The archwire seats cleanly, moves freely, and delivers its force to the tooth in a more efficient, controlled way.

This low-friction, low-force approach means the biology of tooth movement can work more efficiently — teeth respond to gentler forces, the surrounding bone remodels more effectively, and the overall treatment experience is measurably more comfortable.

Is the Empower^™ System Right for You

Empower^™ self-ligating brackets are an excellent option for patients across all age groups and a wide range of case types. They are particularly well-suited for:

Patients who want efficient, comfortable fixed braces with fewer required visits
Patients who have experienced significant soreness with traditional braces in the past
Patients with mild to complex cases requiring precise individual tooth control
Teens and adults who want metal braces with a lower-friction, more comfortable experience
Patients who prefer a discreet option — Empower™ Clear delivers the same system in tooth-colored ceramic
Patients whose case complexity makes fixed braces more appropriate than removable aligners

During your complimentary new patient exam, Dr. Cosmo will evaluate your specific case and determine whether Empower^™ — in metal, ceramic, or a combination — is the most appropriate treatment for your goals and your anatomy.

Find Out if Empower^™ Brackets Are Right for Your Smile

Schedule your complimentary new patient exam at Cranston Orthodontics — no referral required. Dr. Cosmo will evaluate your teeth and bite, walk you through every appropriate treatment option including Empower™ and Empower™ Clear, and build a personalized plan around your goals and your life.

Schedule a Free Exam

Frequently Asked Questions

In traditional braces, small elastic rubber ties hold the archwire against each bracket. These ties create friction as the wire moves through the bracket slot, requiring more force to achieve tooth movement and generating more soreness after adjustments. Self-ligating brackets like Empower^™ replace those elastics entirely with a precision-engineered interactive clip built directly into each bracket. The clip secures the archwire automatically, eliminating the friction caused by elastic ties and allowing the wire to deliver lighter, more biologically appropriate forces to the teeth. The result is a more efficient, more comfortable treatment experience from start to finish.

Empower^™ is a self-ligating bracket system manufactured by American Orthodontics — one of the most respected orthodontic product companies in the United States. The system features an active interactive clip design that not only holds the archwire in place without elastic ties, but also engages it with a light, consistent force that gives Dr. Cosmo precise control over individual tooth movement. It is available in a standard metal format and as Empower^™ Clear — a tooth-colored ceramic version for patients who prefer a more discreet appearance.

Most patients find them to be meaningfully more comfortable. Because the self-ligating clip eliminates the friction generated by elastic ties, the forces required to move teeth are lighter and more biologically appropriate — which translates directly into less post-adjustment soreness. Teeth respond more efficiently to gentler forces, and the surrounding bone remodels more effectively at lower force levels. Patients who have experienced significant discomfort with traditional elastic-tie braces in the past often notice a real difference with self-ligating systems.

Reduced appointment frequency is one of the practical benefits of the lower-friction self-ligating design. Because the archwire moves through the bracket more efficiently, wires can often remain in place longer between adjustments. The elimination of elastic ties also removes the need to replace them at every visit, which can simplify and shorten appointment time. Dr. Cosmo will outline the expected appointment schedule for your specific case during your consultation.

Empower^™ uses standard metal brackets with the self-ligating interactive clip — delivering the full clinical benefits of the system in the most durable format. Empower^™ Clear applies the exact same self-ligating clip technology in a tooth-colored ceramic bracket, making it significantly less noticeable than metal at conversational distances. An added aesthetic advantage of Empower^™ Clear is that because there are no elastic ties, there is nothing to discolor between appointments — the appliance maintains a clean appearance throughout treatment. Both formats deliver the same clinical performance; the choice is primarily aesthetic.

The Empower^™ interactive clip is an active clip — meaning it applies a light, consistent force to the archwire rather than simply holding it passively in place. This active engagement gives Dr. Cosmo enhanced control over individual tooth positioning, particularly for rotation correction and torque control — two of the most technically demanding aspects of finishing a comprehensive orthodontic case. The active clip design is especially valuable in the intermediate and final stages of treatment when precision matters most and even small differences in bracket control have a visible impact on the final result.

Empower^™ brackets perform across a broad range of case types — from mild crowding and spacing to more complex bite corrections requiring precise individual tooth control. The active clip design gives Dr. Cosmo the clinical control needed for demanding cases, while the low-friction mechanics make the treatment process more comfortable regardless of case complexity. Dr. Cosmo will determine whether fixed braces are the most appropriate treatment modality for your case — and if so, whether Empower™ is the right bracket system — after a thorough evaluation.