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 ‘rubber bands’, 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 – brackets, archwire, hooks, etc. – 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 ‘chain’. In so doing, they are able to provide support to the teeth in addition to grasping the archwire to the teeth.

3. Power Chains Don’t Just Provide Support To The Teeth

C-chain ligatures don’t 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 “Space Closure” Stage Of The Treatment.

Orthodontists don’t use power chains from the beginning of the treatment. But they are still used in the early stages of the treatment.
The “stages” of a typical treatment for an individual who has crooked teeth include: “alignment stage”, “space closure”, and “detailing”. Power chains or connected ligatures are usually used during the “space closure” 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 patient’s 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, it’s 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 you’re 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 Don’t 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 won’t 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. It’s 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 won’t remove the chains until he or she has accomplished the treatment goals – whether it’s closing gaps or moving specific groups of teeth. So the date that you’re 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?

For you and your braces, power chains are connected rows of elastics that are used in orthodontics to help with a variety of issues. Power chains on braces are highly efficient because they add more pressure and force in moving the teeth than the traditional brackets and ligatures do alone

Does everyone with braces get power chains?

Almost every case may require the power chains. Your orthodontist may not use them in early stage as teeth are misaligned or crooked. At first, he or she will align your teeth and correct your bite. Aftet that, he or she will use power chains at the end.

How long do power chains take to work?

The power chain can take 6 weeks to 6 months or even more to close the gap and you have to wear it for this time period. Actually, it depends on the size of the gap needed to be closed and other important factors. Moreover, all cases are different and more or less time.

Do braces move your teeth everyday?

Braces move your teeth by exerting constant pressure on them for extended periods of time. The shape of your jaw gradually adapts to conform to this pressure. … Each time your braces are adjusted by your orthodontist, you may also be sore for a few days

Are power chains optional?

Power chains for braces aren’t optional; it depends on whether your teeth re-alignment requires them! What are power chains? Power chains are like rubber bands – there is tension when they’re stretched. This material is the same as the regular modules (colourful elastic bands) that hold the wire in place.

How many stages of braces are there?

There are three stages of orthodontic treatment. The first is when appliances are used to gain space in the mouth. For example, palatal expanders are used to expand the width of the palate and lingual bars are used to expand the lower jaw. The active corrective stage is next when the braces are placed on the teeth.

Is the power chain the last step for braces?

If you are wearing power chains on braces, you may ask, Are power chains the last step in braces? There is no straight answer to the question. Usually, the power chain can be used in the late stage of braces treatment. But, you may have to wear it in the early stage during the tooth alignment or bite correction stage.

Can you get a power chain when you first get braces?

However, your orthodontist may apply ligatures and power chains to your teeth. … First and foremost, they can close a gap between your tooth by applying extra force and expediting the teeth moving process. You may find that your orthodontist recommends that your power chain stay on, even when your teeth have closed.