If you’re wearing braces and wondering what the braces power chain is, you’re not alone. It’s one of the more common questions we hear from patients with braces, so it was time to explain it on our website! The power chain on braces refers to a set of bracket links that are used in certain types of braces. The purpose of these links is to make your teeth move faster when you begin orthodontic treatment or as your treatment progresses. Power chains are designed to transfer movement at the back teeth onto the front teeth, where most movement happens during treatment.
What is a power chain?
When people talk about power chains, they’re typically referring to how far apart your teeth are from one another. When it comes to getting braces, many patients want them because they think their teeth look crowded or misshapen—which is sometimes true, but not always. Determining whether you should get braces can be tricky, which is why seeing an orthodontist before treatment is so important. If you’re nervous about heading into your appointment and hearing that word power chain, don’t worry! It simply means how far apart each tooth in your smile is from its neighbor.
How are braces designed and built?
There are three major components that go into braces: brackets, archwires and bands. These parts are designed to work together to correct your teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists designates four basic types of orthodontic appliances; aligners (also called clear or invisible braces), traditional metal braces, self-ligating metal braces and removable appliances. Most adults seeking orthodontic treatment will use either traditional or self-ligating brackets and wires in combination with elastic ties and ligatures. At each appointment you can expect your orthodontist to monitor your progress using some form of retainer. This may be rubber bands, springs or snap-on retainers.
Am I ready for the power chain treatment?
Before getting fitted for your braces, your orthodontist may recommend that you get x-rays and/or take an impression of your teeth. The purpose of these exams are to confirm that you have all of your permanent teeth and that any tooth decay or damage has been addressed. Once it’s determined that there isn’t anything problematic with your teeth, you’ll be able to get fitted for braces. Your orthodontist will use these impressions to craft a custom set of braces that best suit your mouth and smile, but she’ll also take some time to discuss whether or not it’s time for the power chain treatment. What exactly is a power chain?
Where do I go to have my braces fitted with the power chain device?
If you want to find out if your braces can be fitted with a power chain, all you need to do is call our office for an appointment and we’ll get you in. With some teeth, it takes longer than others (on average about 10 minutes per tooth), but once we’ve done it, it stays on until your braces come off at your final orthodontic appointment. If you haven’t already made an appointment with us, please visit our website at [insert url] or call us on [insert phone number]. You can also request an appointment through our Facebook page and someone will get back to you soon. We look forward to seeing you!
Can my dentist fit my braces with the power chain device?
There are different types of braces that work differently on different teeth. Your dentist will help you figure out which kind will be best for your mouth. But not all braces come with power chains, which may sound like they’re an upgrade, but they’re not. The myth is that power chains are safer and better at cleaning your teeth than traditional brackets. Some manufacturers also claim that you’ll end up with a straighter smile faster if you use them instead of brackets, but neither of these claims have been proven by any scientific study. In fact, one of the benefits to using traditional braces over those with power chains is that it gives your mouth time to adjust to having something new in it before moving onto something else.
How does the dentist know if it will be effective for me and my teeth?
It’s not uncommon for people to try traditional braces and not see any results, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a nice smile. If you tried braces once or twice but still aren’t happy with your teeth, consider getting lingual braces. Lingual braces are hidden behind your teeth, making them less visible in pictures. They’re also known as clear aligners because they use transparent plastic (you won’t have metal brackets on your teeth). They’re an affordable option compared to traditional metal-wire brackets, and can work just as well at straightening your teeth! To find out if lingual braces will work for you, book an appointment with one of our dentists today!
What happens during the fitting process to get this device fitted onto my teeth?
The first step in getting your braces put on involves taking an impression of your teeth. The dentist will use some type of material that hardens quickly to create a mold of your teeth. This mold is then used to construct your retainer and aligners. During your next visit, after you’ve had time to wear down those sharp edges and get used to those brackets, you’ll get fitted for a set of retainers or another set of aligners, which will be placed overtop your current brackets. The final step will be having them tightened as needed until you have straight teeth! Just like that—straight teeth without surgery!
How long does it take to get used to wearing my braces with the power chain device attached.
It can take as little as 3-5 days, but it can also take up to 2 weeks to get used to wearing braces with your new orthodontic appliance. When you first put on your braces with a power chain attached, you may notice an increased level of discomfort; however, if you have these common discomforts, you’re in good company—so don’t worry! Your feelings of discomfort will decrease over time. The first few times you wear your brace with the power chain device attached will likely be painful. However, with each successive day that passes and each bite of food that gets chewed without incident (after all…that’s how orthodontics works), that feeling will fade until it disappears completely.
Are there any issues with eating while having braces fitted with this device attached to them?
In general, you should avoid eating hard and/or sticky foods while wearing braces with a power chain, such as apples, corn on the cob or carrots. Any food that becomes lodged in your mouth can cause serious problems. While you are having braces fitted with a power chain attached to them, you should also avoid chewing gum. If it gets stuck under your braces while they are being fitted with a power chain device attached to them, you may not be able to get it out by yourself. Your orthodontist will generally advise you against chewing gum during treatment because it can make cleaning between teeth more difficult, which could increase your risk of getting an infection in your mouth or teeth.
After having had my braces fitted with this device, how often do I need to go back in to see the dentist in order to maintain their position or check up on them at home as well as make adjustments or replacements when required?
A dental power chain is used to control how far your teeth will move during orthodontic treatment. It’s applied to your braces at an early stage of treatment. It can be removed or replaced by your dentist at any time during treatment if there are issues that need attention. There are many factors that affect whether you’ll have regular appointments with your orthodontist, including how serious your orthodontic problems are and how fast you’re progressing through treatment. The frequency of appointments will depend on these factors and will also depend on whether you’re in charge of making sure everything is going smoothly with your brace wear at home, or if someone else (like a parent) helps monitor things for you.