When looking to get braces put on your teeth, you may be provided with some options for elastic ligatures by your orthodontist.
Elastic ligatures, or more commonly known as ârubber bandsâ, surround your braces and are used primarily to hold the archwire into the brackets; but they can also be utilized for other purposes, such as directing the movement of the teeth in a particular direction or speeding up the process of straightening or moving teeth. It all depends on how the ligature is tied onto a tooth or teeth and the type of ligature used.
One option your orthodontist may offer you is power chain braces.
This article outlines some important things you need to know about your power chain braces.
11 Things You Should Know About Power Chains
1. They Are Just Some Components Of Braces
Power chain braces are not braces in the true sense of the word. They are not braces themselves, but merely ligatures that are placed as an addition to the braces. They stretch over the brackets, and work together with the other components â brackets, archwire, hooks, etc. â to improve the look and function of the teeth as well as smile. They are used when the orthodontist feels it is necessary.
2. Power Chain Braces Are Made With The Same Elastic Material That Is Used In Regular Elastic Ligatures.
Power chains are essentially a bunch of O-shaped elastic ligatures linked together, forming a continuous band that runs from one teeth to the next. The regular O-rings are used to hold the archwire into the slots on the braces. They come as single units that are put around the brackets to hold the archwire in place. Powers chains, on the other hand, are linked together to form a âchainâ. In so doing, they are able to provide support to the teeth in addition to grasping the archwire to the teeth.
3. Power Chains Donât Just Provide Support To The Teeth
C-chain ligatures donât just hold the archwire, but actually they are primarily used for closing spaces between the teeth or to move specific groups of teeth all at the same time. They provide the additional force needed to bring teeth closer to each other and to help move a specific group of teeth at the same time.
4. They Are Usually Used In The âSpace Closureâ Stage Of The Treatment.
Orthodontists donât use power chains from the beginning of the treatment. But they are still used in the early stages of the treatment.
The âstagesâ of a typical treatment for an individual who has crooked teeth include: âalignment stageâ, âspace closureâ, and âdetailingâ. Power chains or connected ligatures are usually used during the âspace closureâ stage after the teeth have been aligned in a straight line using braces. They assist in closing up any gaps and moving the front teeth backward whilst ensuring that they stay upright and straight. Basically, they are added to close gaps and guide teeth to where they need to be.
5. They Are The Most Commonly Used Ligatures
Usually, orthodontists install power chain braces instead of ligatures. But sometimes the orthodontist can put both a ligature (tie-wire) and power chain braces on a patientâs teeth. It depends on the treatment goals, or what he or she is trying to accomplish.
Read: Denture Adhesive
6. They Are Provided At No Additional Cost
Typically, there is no additional cost to have connected elastic ligatures placed. Their cost is usually included in the orthodontic treatment quote. This can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, such as complexity of the problem, style of braces, materials, treatment time, location, any additional services needed, and the individual orthodontist.
However, itâs worth noting that connected ligatures may cost a little bit more than conventional ligatures. For more details, you can call orthodontist offices in your local area and ask how much these braces.
7. Power Chains Come In A Wide Variety
Power chain braces are available in different types and colors, just like ordinary elastic ligatures. They also feature several different shapes. Although youâre allowed to choose the color for your power chain braces, you cannot decide on the shapes or structures of these chains. Your orthodontist will choose the structures that best fit your teeth, depending on your individual situation and treatment goals.
8. They Donât Hurt
Like braces, the installation of connected ligatures will definitely cause some discomfort or even mild pain especially in the initial stages of the treatment. But with the passage of time, this discomfort will diminish and you wonât feel much pain. In fact, any pain or discomfort will be gone within a week. Before that, you may need to eat soft food to prevent further irritation and/or pain. Itâs also worth noting that power chain braces, like other ligatures, can get stained easily by food items like curry, wine, coffee, etc.; and, therefore, you have to clean your teeth after meals.
9. They May Need To Be Changed At Each Appointment
Your orthodontist will need to change your connected ligatures at every appointment since they lose strength over time as the teeth retract. Depending on how the chains are tied onto the teeth, a varying degree of force can be applied to the teeth causing slight discomfort.
10. There Is No Specific Length Of Time In A Power Braces Treatment Program
Power chains are typically used for approximately 6 weeks. But each case is different, and your orthodontist wonât remove the chains until he or she has accomplished the treatment goals â whether itâs closing gaps or moving specific groups of teeth. So the date that youâre supposed to get your braces is not set in stone. Some patients see dramatic improvements in a few weeks, while others can take up to 6 months or even more. It all depends on your individual case.
11. Power Chains Offer Benefits For People Of All Ages
Power chains can be used to close gaps and move teeth in any patient who qualifies to wear braces or receive orthodontic treatment. No one is too old or too young to have connected ligatures placed on their teeth. While it is true that braces are typically used in the treatment of teenagers, both adults and children can benefit from c-chain ligatures to straighten teeth, close gaps between teeth, correct bite abnormalities, and achieve a perfect smile.
12. Power Chain Braces Will Definitely Improve Your Smile
Power chains are one of the most effective ways to fix gaps in teeth and pull teeth toward a particular direction until teeth are straight. Straight teeth with no gaps are the two main components of a perfect smile, which has been consistently found to correlate with high self-esteem and self-confidence.
FAQ
What does a power chain for braces do?
Does everyone with braces get power chains?
How long do power chains take to work?
Do braces move your teeth everyday?
Are power chains optional?
How many stages of braces are there?
Is the power chain the last step for braces?
Can you get a power chain when you first get braces?
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Got my power chains put on yesterday & itâs the worst feeling ever. I guess for some people the pain isnât intense but mine is killing me. I canât even sleep throughout the night. What can I do to relieve the pain?
Yesterday, I got this power chain. I have a bit of pain because of it. My next appointment is 4 weeks later. Just wondering what will this power chain do in a month?! It’s been 3 weeks I got braces on my lower arch, but no improvements yet.
Three weeks in the bottom arch is still early in the process. You’ll start to notice movement when you floss maybe in one or two more weeks. Visible (yet minimal) changes when comparing before and current pics at around 6-8 weeks. Impossible to deny changes at the 3-4 month mark. Big massive change around the 5-6 months mark.
Ive had power chain for a month to close my gap but on my last visit,my doctor removed my power chain. Is there a chance for the gap to return?
Hey doc, So since I got my power bands attached to my braces. it’s been only 24 hours but my teeth don’t close like they are suppose to. They don’t fit in the grooves. Is that normal ?
I’d call my dentist and ask but I owe him money so i’m asking you
They dont work right away goofy
This happens every time I get my own tightened, its normal and they should fit back in a couple of days to a week
I’ve never had gaps before in my teeth, but I have just noticed a gap forming and growing bigger. I am supposed to have them taken off in less than 6 weeks. The power chains are not on yet, but I presume they will be tomorrow. Is that likely enough time? I’ve heard stories of gaps closing overnight or within a few days… can you verify this? Really freaking out because ortho said it would only take 9 months and it will be 10 months and I’m on the biggest time crunch – can’t afford to restart treatment elsewhere
My power chain has broke on Christmas Eve my dentist doesnât open again for a week what can I do help
Call around the local orthodontists. We usually do that sort of simple repair as a professional courtesy.
I just had a short amount of powerchain put on my top teeth. Anything I should know?
I wasnât expecting to have to have any during my treatment but my two front top teeth started separating a little bit.
Nope, business as usual. It may get sore for a day or two. Clean well under is with floss and a proxabrush thingy. If it’s a large gap its stretched over it may get worn more easily but I’ve never had a problem with full breakage. I’ve been power chained almost my full 10 months in braces so far.
Holy ow, what did I do to deserve this. I was all cocky and thought I had gotten used to the pain that comes with the usual brace wire adjustments then my orthodontist decided I was ready for power chains today. Whatever powers that be, I promise to never again underestimate the power braces have to make my teeth so sad, please have mercy on me and let me eat something that isn’t mush tomorrow.
On a less melodramatic note, can I expect the pain to subside around the same timeframe as the regular brace adjustments?
Pretty much yes. But you’re right, it’s intense at first. Really quick results though so at least you get that to look forward to
I have powerchain braces. I had them for about 7 weeks. And my back tooth looks like itâs turning in a weird direction. Is that normal?