Getting braces is a common orthodontic treatment for people looking to straighten their teeth and improve their smile. Braces use brackets and wires to gradually move teeth into their ideal positions over time. While the basic components are the same, orthodontists have many options when it comes to choosing the brackets, wires, and other appliances used during treatment.
One common appliance used with braces are power chains. So do all orthodontic patients get power chains during their treatment or are they only used in certain situations? Here is an in-depth look at what power chains are, why they are used, and whether everyone with braces will need to have them at some point.
What Are Power Chains?
Power chains are made of stretchy elastic and loop between the brackets on your teeth. They typically span three or more teeth and create forces that bring teeth together or control space between teeth.
Power chains come in different thicknesses which determine the amount of force they provide. Thicker power chains produce stronger forces to move teeth more quickly, while thinner chains provide gentler forces. Power chains are also available in different colors, allowing you to customize the look of your braces.
Orthodontists may place power chains on your top and bottom rows of teeth. They can be used to:
- Close space between teeth
- Bring teeth that stick out backwards into alignment
- Realign crooked teeth
- Pull teeth together after dental extractions
- Close bite gaps
Power chains apply steady pressure to move teeth into the desired positions. The elastic stretches over time, so orthodontists will replace power chains periodically to maintain the ideal amount of force.
Who Needs Power Chains?
While power chains are a very common tool used with braces, not everyone needs to have them during their orthodontic treatment. Here are some factors that determine if someone will need power chains or not:
- Amount of Alignment Needed – Patients with minimal crowding or spacing issues may not require power chains. But people with more significant alignment challenges usually need the strong forces from power chains to bring their teeth into position.
- Presence of Gaps – Power chains are routinely used to close gaps between teeth. Patients with one or more gaps in their smile are very likely to have power chains during treatment.
- Extraction Cases – People who have pre-treatment extractions to alleviate crowding almost always need power chains. The elastic helps pull the remaining teeth together to close the spaces after extractions.
- Jaw Misalignment Issues – Power chains may be placed on the upper and lower teeth to help guide the jaw into the correct position.
- Speed of Treatment – People who want to complete orthodontic treatment more quickly can have power chains added to move their teeth faster.
Stages of Treatment
In cases that require power chains, they may be used at different stages of orthodontic treatment:
Initial Alignment Stage
Power chains are often placed when braces are first put on to start bringing severely crooked or gapped teeth into line. This gets the teeth moving into position from the very start of treatment.
Space Closure Stage
After extractions or expansion when space exists between certain teeth, power chains will be used to bring the teeth together and completely close the spaces.
Finishing Stage
At the end of treatment, power chains may be placed to refine the positioning of teeth and achieve the very final details of the desired smile alignment.
Retention Stage
Some patients need to wear clear retainers after braces come off to hold teeth in position. Power chains temporarily placed on the retainers provide extra force to settle teeth in their ideal alignment.
Considerations with Power Chains
While power chains are an effective orthodontic tool, there are some disadvantages to be aware of:
- Can place more pressure on teeth, increasing discomfort
- Require more frequent adjustments as the elastics degrade
- Can collect more plaque and food debris than wires alone
- May not be preferred by patients who play wind instruments due to increased pressure on embouchure
- Can be dislodged if not careful while eating and playing contact sports
However, your orthodontist will determine if the benefits of faster tooth movement outweigh any disadvantages on a case-by-case basis.
Percentage of Braces Patients Who Get Power Chains
It’s estimated that around 60-70% of people undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces will need power chains at some point. However, not all of these patients will need power chains for the entire duration of treatment. An individual’s specific orthodontic plan and goals will determine when and where they need power chains.
Here is a breakdown of the approximate percentage of braces patients who have power chains:
| Stage of Treatment | Percentage with Power Chains |
|---|---|
| Initial Alignment | 50% |
| Space Closure | 40% |
| Finishing | 30% |
| Retention | 10% |
As you can see, power chains tend to be used most heavily during the first phase of braces treatment when front teeth are being lined up and back teeth straightened. Their use decreases in the later finishing stage as the orthodontist fine tunes the alignment.
Treatment Timeline With Power Chains
Power chains help accelerate tooth movement, allowing for faster progress of braces treatment. But how much do they actually shorten the total treatment timeline?
On average, treatment time with braces ranges from 18-30 months without power chains. With strategic use of power chains, the timeline can be reduced to 12-24 months for most patients. However, the total treatment length depends on many factors like:
- Severity of alignment issues
- Oral health status
- Compliance with orthodontic instructions
- Amount and timing of power chain use
- Need for supplemental devices like headgear or elastics
But in general, power chains can shave off several months of treatment compared to just braces alone. This makes them a popular option for people looking for faster results.
Conclusion
While power chains are not necessary for every braces patient, they are a very common component of orthodontic treatment. About 60-70% of people with braces will have power chains at some point to bring teeth into alignment more efficiently. They provide stronger forces than wires alone and help to close gaps, correct bite issues, and reduce total treatment time.
Power chains offer many benefits, but your orthodontist will determine if they are appropriate for your particular situation. Be sure to discuss all treatment options with your orthodontist to decide if power chains will help you achieve your goals for an improved smile.