You may get braces because your teeth have gaps that need closing, or you may develop gaps while you have braces. Either way, power chains can close those gaps.
What are power chains? They are a tool Ohana Orthodontics uses along with braces to create your perfect smile.
What Are Power Chains for Braces?
There are three main types of power chains.
- Short chain: Short power chains connect every other tooth and have a small piece of elastic between each loop. These close smaller gaps or fewer gaps between teeth.
- Long chain: These connect every third tooth and close large gaps like those left from a pulled or missing tooth. They have a larger piece of elastic between loops.
- Closed chain: Closed power chains have no elastic between loops. They connect adjacent teeth and close several gaps at once.
Not every patient will need power chains, while others may need more than one type of power chains over their treatment period.
Your teeth will develop gaps during your braces treatment process. This is normal, and the small gaps usually close quickly during treatment. The larger gaps require power chains to help them close.
As soon as your braces go on, they start working to move your teeth by applying gentle pressure and stretching the periodontal ligament that holds them in place. This allows the tooth to move as the ligament loosens, but it can make the ligament sore.
Your teeth move thanks to two natural processes in the jaw—reabsorption and remodeling. Reabsorption is the breaking down of your jawbone, where the body reabsorbs the broken-down material. This allows your teeth to shift in the jawbone.
Remodeling is where the jawbone rebuilds itself behind the tooth as it moves. This keeps your teeth from getting too loose and falling out during your braces treatment.
As your teeth start to move, they will become more sensitive and probably will ache. You may also have tender gums right after your braces go on.
Are There Power Chains Colors to Choose From?
Not sure which color to choose? We have a guide to choosing your braces colors. Your power chains can match your braces elastics, or you can choose a totally different color!
When you come in for an orthodontic checkup (about every 6-8 weeks), we will change out the archwires on the upper and lower teeth. The archwires are what apply pressure to the braces brackets and help move the teeth.
New archwires may move your teeth differently from how they’ve been moved previously. Each set of archwires is designed to move your teeth in increments until they are straight and where they need to be.
As a result, your teeth may be sore after each adjustment.
Will Power Chains Hurt?
The best way to deal with this is to stick with soft foods during those first couple of days, such as mashed potatoes, protein shakes, macaroni and cheese, and soup. You can resume a normal diet after the soreness wears off.
You can also take an over-the-counter painkiller as directed on the bottle to help relieve discomfort. Rinse with warm salt water two or three times a day to soothe your teeth and gums and reduce swelling.
One thing that may happen with power chains is that your archwire may start poking you in the back of the mouth as your teeth move together. We will fix that on the next visit, but if it gets uncomfortable before then, use braces wax to cover the end of the archwire.
The initial soreness after you get braces may last for several days because your teeth aren’t used to moving. If it lasts longer than a week or gets worse instead of better, give us a call.
The soreness may not be as bad after each adjustment. It should only last for a couple of days. It should be getting better with each passing day. If it gets worse, give us a call. We may need to loosen an archwire.
Can Power Chains Break?
These are the same foods that can damage your braces brackets and wires, so it shouldn’t be hard to avoid them for power chains.
Power chains are durable but can break under the right circumstances. Certain foods can damage them, which is why we recommend you stay away from hard, sticky, or chewy foods while wearing braces.
These are the same foods that can damage your braces brackets and wires, so it shouldn’t be hard to avoid them for power chains.
FAQs About Power Chains
Do power chains hurt more than regular braces?
How long do you wear power chains?
Can I choose the color of power chains?
What if my power chain breaks?
Braces Treatment in Canby, OR
Are you ready for braces treatment in Canby, OR? Schedule an appointment with Ohana Orthodontics.
Are you ready for braces or clear aligners in Camby, OR? Schedule an appointment with Ohana Orthodontics. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about braces treatment and whatever worries you may have.
