Braces use pressure to position your jaw and teeth. They can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, or jaw problems.
Braces are small brackets attached to your teeth when you have them. The brackets are secured to your back teeth by a wire that runs through them. The wire is adjusted periodically to move your jaw and teeth into a new position.
You may have heard of a power chain if you are considering braces or if you have them already. An adjustable chain is a tool your orthodontist may use to add additional force.
Please continue reading to learn about power chains and who might need them.
What is a power chain brace?
Ligatures, which are tiny elastic bands that hold your braces inside the brackets, are typically used. Each bracket would therefore have its ligature.
A power chain is composed of many connected elastic rings. This gives it a chain-like appearance. A power chain can be applied to braces and replaces individual ligatures. It can also connect multiple brackets.
What does a power chain brace do?
Let’s look at some of the benefits of power chains with braces.
Power chains can be used in many ways.
You can use power chains with braces to address many treatment needs.
- Close spaces between teeth, such as those left after a removal
- Promoting even spacing between your teeth
- Aligning Crooked Tees
- Rotating teeth
- correcting your dental midline
One set of teeth might be linked by a power cable, while others may have their ligatures. Your orthodontist will be able to help you with the various treatment needs of different areas of your mouth.
Power chains, like individual ligatures, come in various colours.
They exert greater force.
Unique ligatures are weaker than power chains. If necessary, your dentist may use them to increase the force applied to an area.
They are easy to use
It is easy to apply a power chain on your braces. First, your orthodontist will remove each ligature from its bracket. Then, they’ll replace them with the power chainrings.
A spool is used to distribute power chains. This allows your orthodontist to easily reduce the length of the power chains they require for your braces.
Side effects and risks
Over time, power chains reduce the force they exert. Factors like:
- The type of power chain
- The specific material they are made from
- Movement can be caused by chewing food or shifting your teeth
- Your mouth environment, including temperature, moisture and contact with saliva, can impact your oral health.
Your orthodontist may need to replace your power chains from time to time. This can be done during an appointment for an adjustment.
Power chains pose similar risks to braces. These risks can include:
- Gum disease. Food can get trapped around braces. Plaque can build up and cause irritation and inflammation to your gums.
- Tooth decay. Plaque buildup may also cause tooth decay. This could be the beginning stage of decay (demineralization) or progression to cavities.
- Tooth roots Roots keep your teeth in place. Braces can gradually move your teeth, so you might have shorter roots than someone who didn’t. This can cause less stable teeth.
- Broken correction: Braces with power chains can align your jaw and teeth, but you could lose this curative effect if your retainer isn’t worn properly after braces have been removed.