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AS I understand it, powerchains are used to close gaps. It will all depend on what happens over the course of your treatment. You may want to ask your ortho.
I remember asking mine if I would have to use elastics and his answer was "Everyone gets elastics." So, I know that somewhere down the road...
I haven't asked about powerchains though.
Braced 5/11/05, BSSO with advancement 6/21/06, Debanded: 8/1/07. Click on www for my braces story.
I have my braces put on next week and will have ice ceramic tops, and I have a gap between my front teeth they will close. They are going to use wire ties so that they don't use ligs that stain. Anyway are the powerchains used in place of ligs or in addition to?? Thanks, Kelly
Impressions on 12/5/05
Full Braces(ceramic top, metal bottom) 12/19/05
I had powerchains a couple times, but no gaps. I think they were to try to get my teeth to move together as a unit but I'm not sure. If you don't have braces on the bottom, your bite probably isn't being corrected and that is what elastics are most often used for. If you have any kind of bite issue to be fixed, elastics are probably in your future.
Paramedic student
Full Braces (all metal) 5/12/1999 - 4/20/2005
Class II (overjet) on the left only
Upper and Lower Hawleys
I got a powerchain across my two front teeth to close a huge gap on the first day I got braces! I also have two large powerchains across some lower extraction gaps! I think its normally used to close gaps but can be used at the end to finalize results. Not everyone needs them.
Elastics are mostly used to to fix the bite. Most people get elastics at some point during their treatment. I know according to my ortho, elastics can fix almost anything and with my wacky bite I know they're coming its just a matter of when.