Braces do an amazing job of straightening teeth and closing gaps between them, but sometimes, they need a little help. Whether you have gaps from missing teeth or just gaps created as your teeth move into place, there is a way to close them quickly: power chains.
There are different types and styles of power chains for braces, and Dr. Zombek of Zombek Orthodontics uses a particular type of power chain to give his patients the best results possible!
A power chain is a set of connected elastic loops that go around your braces brackets. Power chains work because these loops help close gaps between teeth faster than the braces alone.
Why would you need power chains in addition to braces? Some people have larger spacing between teeth because of missing or extracted teeth. Others may have new gaps form as braces move their teeth into place. The size of the space determines which type of power chain to use.
There are three types of power chains: Closed, short, and long.
What’s the difference between them?
Some orthodontists use colored power chains on braces. However, Dr. Zombek has found that the elasticity of these is very stiff and wears out quickly, requiring more office visits to replace them.
Some power chains become brittle if they’re kept in too long. They can even break, or rotate the teeth while trying to move them together. That’s why Dr. Zombek uses a particular type of power chain with a memory effect, eliminating risks like brittleness and unintentional rotation.
Regular power chains may wear out as they are stretched over several weeks. Ours move with the teeth, closing the gaps without losing control of the teeth.
So, if you’re looking for fashionable colors, you won’t find them here. You will find power chains that close gaps quickly, safely, and effectively, though! Your final result, an amazing smile, is our north star at Zombek Orthodontics.
Can you get power chains when you first get braces? Technically, yes, but that’s not the best time for them. Most people get them toward the end of their braces treatment.
Think of it this way: The first part of your treatment involves getting all of your teeth in a line and oriented so that they’re all facing the right direction. The last part of your treatment is pulling those teeth snugly together to produce a straight, beautiful smile.
It’s during this last half of treatment that power chains work best. Once your teeth are lined up, they are likely to have some spaces between them. Adding power chains to your braces creates additional support in moving your teeth together.
This is one of the most common questions we get about power chains. Do they hurt? If so, how long do power chains hurt?
Power chains may feel a bit uncomfortable when first placed, but they’re usually no more uncomfortable than any other braces adjustment. Your teeth may be sore for a few days, but you can alleviate that pain with over-the-counter painkillers. You can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce soreness and swelling.
Often, the pain people feel with braces power chains is actually from the archwires in the braces. As the power chains work to bring the teeth together, the ends of the archwire may slide out the back and begin poking you a bit.
There are a couple of solutions if this happens. You can use braces wax, or dental wax, to cover the archwire until you visit us again. We can then trim the archwire to keep it from poking you.
If the wire becomes painful, you can contact our office for an emergency orthodontist visit, and we can clip the wire back to keep it from hurting you. Just schedule an appointment for an emergency braces visit in our Hollywood, FL, or Weston, FL, office.
Not everyone will need braces power chains, but most patients need them toward the end of their treatment. You may not need them if you don’t have gapped teeth to start with or if your treatment requires only minor work to give you a great smile.
Dr. Zombek will be able to determine whether you will need braces power chains vs. regular braces. It’s all part of the treatment plan that Dr. Zombek creates after a thorough examination during your first visit.
Power chains are a great tool to close gaps between teeth and produce an amazing smile. Dr. Zombek of Zombek Orthodontics provides power chains that he believes yield the best results for his patients. It’s one of the many details that makes Dr. Zombek’s treatment so exceptional.
Want to learn more? You can read some of the testimonials from our patients to see what kind of treatment awaits you at Zombek Orthodontics. If you’re ready for braces treatment, schedule a virtual consult to get started!
This site’s strategy, design, photo & video were created by the marginally-above-average folks @ Clear Partnering Group.
