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Braces are those orthodontic treatments that apply pressure on the teeth to change their direction, which is desirable; it is done for the betterment of smile aesthetics. Mostly, braces contain wires and brackets along with an elastic structure known as a power chain.
This chain we are talking about has nothing to do with weight lifting or motor boats. When we talk about braces, power chains are rows of elastic that put certain pressure on the wires to move the teeth.
Now a days, there are many of types available in the market of braces to choose from. Power chains are mostly used as a combination with the brackets fixed to your teeth.
Adding a power chain to your braces increases efficiency because they put more force as well as pressure in changing the teeth’ direction, more so than traditional brackets or ligatures alone. That is why using them together has proven more effective in achieving better results in a shorter span of time.
Power Chains in Braces – A Detail
Power chains are strings tied together of elastic or ligatures that hold the metal worn and brackets in place. Usually, they are prepared from the very material that is used on ligatures (elastics holding archwire to individual brackets). In some cases, these power chains are made of metal twists rather than elastic.
The power chain connects the brackets on the braces while elastics fit over each bracket individually. Such orthodontic chains form a continuous band which runs across the teeth. You have the choice of using a power chain for some teeth and traditional ligatures around the brackets for others. Such a combo of both ligatures and power chains lets the orthodontist treat multiple treatment objectives at once.
What Do Power Chains on Braces Do?
They are mainly used to aid in closing any kind of tooth space. Spaces after tooth extraction or for general spacing. The treatment time usually speeds up via power chains on braces because they apply more force than the brackets and arch wire alone.
Moreover, these power chains have the ability to correct more dental troubles with high accuracy, including:
- Tooth misalignments
- malocclusions
- crooked teeth
Power Chains – Types
One size fits all approach cannot work with power chains and braces. There are more than one types available, which means that within the option, you have more options to choose from.
It is your condition that will determine the extent of spaces on the chain there will be. There are different diameters between each loop centre – interlink space that has the control over which loop fits onto which. There is a possibility of connecting at each tooth, i.e., closed, every other tooth – short, or every third tooth – long.
Your dental professional is the best person to decide which type is best for you, and that is usually based on the clinical objective.
How Long Does One Have Power Chains?
The length of treatment, just like many other characteristics, depends on each individual case. The actual time duration of the treatment greatly varies between individuals.
It is seen that some people need to wear power chains for about 6 months, while on the other hand, a few people’s treatments won’t take more than just 6 weeks.
There is, however, a catch involved; you may need to wear the power chain braces long after diastema is no longer there, i.e. the gaps close up. Why? To stop it from reverting back—just like a retainer will.
Who Qualifies for Power Chain Braces?
The best part about power chain braces is that unlike other orthodontic treatments where age plays a part in the type of treatment; in this, every age group is a candidate for use.
Power Chain – Colors
The color options for the power chain are exactly the same as normal ligature tint choices. The best person you should go to is your orthodontist, who will help you choose a shade that fits best according to your lifestyle. However, ultimately you are the deciding entity of which color to choose; the dentist can only give suggestions.
Just like it happens with normal ligatures, the diet you take can cause the power chains to become stained and change their color. As far as stain resistance is concerned, silver- or smoke-colored power chains are the best choice.
You must know that power chains are replaced after every visit. Therefore it does not matter if they stain, do not get too worked up about it.
Do Power Chain Braces Hurt?
Power chains are supposed to close the gaps between your teeth, so expect some discomfort just as new pressure is applied to your teeth. You must know that power chains on the braces do not cause greater pain or discomfort than any other type of treatment. You will likely suffer from a sore mouth for a few days after adjustments.
The good news is that your orthodontist will inform you which way is best to manage that time of discomfort and how you can relieve from pain. Any sort of tenderness you may experience will resolve relatively quickly.
During and throughout the rest of your treatment time in braces, it is crucial that you follow your orthodontist’s guidelines about the diet, which foods to eat and which ones to avoid.
Care of Power Chain Braces
In a nutshell, power chain braces are just like any other part of your orthodontic treatment. It is necessary that you follow the same oral hygiene regime as you would with other traditional treatments like metal braces or other options.
Your food may get entrapped in the elastic but it is not a serious amount; all you will need to do is spend a little more time brushing, too.
Power chain braces easily helps to close up any space you may have between the teeth for a smile which is more confident, in no time! Power chains are most popular in the majority of orthodontic cases and are a routine part of orthodontic treatment.
