Although many people are familiar with traditional braces, many types are available to help children with orthodontic issues. In this post, we’ll break down one option that may be unfamiliar to most: power chains.
If you think power chain braces are right for your child or want to learn more about different brace options, contact Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry at (480) 422-4544 or online to learn more.
What Are Power Chains on Braces?
Before we dive into what power chain braces are, let’s first look at how they differ from traditional braces.
Traditional braces use metal brackets with arch wires threaded through them, held in place by small, colored elastic bands (called o-rings) on each bracket. These braces work by applying constant pressure to gradually move and straighten misaligned teeth.
How Do Power Chain Braces Work?
Unlike traditional braces, power chain braces use a continuous strip of elastic O-rings, sometimes paired with metal twists, to form a one-piece elastic chain. This chain links the brackets together, applying increased, consistent, and uniform pressure to multiple teeth at once.
Power chains are especially useful for:
- Closing gaps between teeth
- Correcting misalignments
- Realigning malocclusions
- Adjust in-rotating teeth
The constant and consistent pressure of power chains on braces also helps close gaps and realign teeth issues faster than single o-rings on traditional braces. Because of this, it is not uncommon for power chains and single o-rings on braces to be combined to create a customized orthodontic treatment plan.
What are the Benefits of Power Chain Braces?
Power chains offer the following advantages when being treated with traditional braces.
Power Chains Are Versatile
Power chains allow your child’s orthodontist to address specific treatment needs more effectively when combined with traditional braces. Some of their key benefits include:
- Closing gaps between teeth efficiently, including those caused by tooth extractions
- Promoting even spacing between teeth
- Speeding up the rotation and alignment of crooked teeth
- Assisting with bite correction, fixing dental midline deviations, and aligning a misaligned jaw
Power Chains Apply More Force and Constant Pressure
Power chains for braces are stronger than individual ligatures and apply continuous, steady pressure. This allows them to significantly speed up the progress of your child’s orthodontic treatment.
Power Chains are Easy to Change
Replacing traditional colors with power chain colors is a straightforward process. Your orthodontist will remove the ligatures and replace them with power chain elastics. Since power chains come on a spool, they can be easily cut to fit specific teeth and adjusted to fit your teeth.
Power Chains for Braces are Suitable for All Orthodontic Patients
Children, teens, and adults can all benefit from power chains. Orthodontists can customize power chains for braces to any specific need, based on each patient’s individual, unique requirements.
Power Chain Colors
One of the advantages of power chains is that your child can choose the color they like the most, like modern elastics. Although silver or smoke-colored power chains offer the best stain resistance, many other colors are available. These include but are not limited to:
- Aqua
- Black
- Blue
- Clear
- Emerald
- Gold
- Green
- Gray
- Natural
- Navy
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple
- Raspberry
- Red
- Silver
- Teal
- Turquoise
- White
- Yellow
Your child’s diet can cause power chains to become stained or change color. However, the rings are changed every orthodontist visit, so this is not a serious issue. This also means your child will get to try a new power chain color during these visits.
What to Expect When Wearing Power Chains
Power chain braces share the same considerations for you and your child that braces generally do. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Pain and Discomfort Associated With Power Chains
Braces rely on applying force to move teeth. Power chains increase this force. Just like your child may experience some mild pain and discomfort when braces are first applied and when they are adjusted, the same sensations can appear when an orthodontist applies or adjusts power chains.
Pain ordinarily subsides into discomfort after a few days, and then the discomfort will also usually subside. During this period, eating soft foods will minimize these symptoms.
Maintenance Of Power Chains on Braces
Good oral hygiene habits are just as important with power chains on traditional braces. This includes brushing and flossing at least twice a day, using a mouth rinse with fluoride, avoiding hard, sticky foods and high-sugar foods, and regular orthodontist visits.
Minimizing and Dealing with Common Issues With Power Chain Braces
Overall, the risks of power chains are the same as with regular braces. These include:
- Tooth decay and gum disease from plaque buildup and poor flossing of teeth
- Shorter tooth roots than someone who did not require orthodontic treatment
- Correction reversions can occur after braces are removed, especially when retainers are not diligently worn
As with any elastic ligatures, chains can occasionally break. If this happens, call your child’s orthodontist as soon as possible to make sure the treatment continues to work.
How Long Will It Be Necessary to Wear Power Chains?
Since power chains are not a standalone orthodontic appliance but part of your child’s overall treatment plan, their use depends on the treatment schedule and any additional dental procedures needed. Typically, braces treatment lasts anywhere from one to three years.
Power chains are usually needed for a few weeks to six months or longer. They may even be left on once your child’s dental issue is resolved to ensure the changes stay in place.
Call Us to Learn More about Power Chain Braces for Children
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, we proudly serve families in Phoenix and the greater Maricopa County area.
If you still have questions about whether power chains are right for your child’s orthodontic needs, or if you have any other questions about standard braces or other child orthodontics, please feel free to call us at (480) 422-4544. Or, visit us at our office at the following address: 10213 N. 92nd Street Suite H-102 Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
