Metal Mouth Message Board

I remember the first time I had braces 20 years ago, I used a hemostat clamp to reattach a ligature that had slipped.

I have seen them put on my power chain many times and it appears to be even easier than regular ligatures. Just have to be sure theres a clean cut on the end or it can cause cheek irritation.

ANYWAY I am getting very fed up with 6 and 7 week appointments. I ate some thai yellow curry for dinner last night and my turquoise powerchain looks horrible and almost green. I do not drink coffee or smoke.

I am highly considering ordering some high quality power chain off of ebay and just replacing it all myself. Then if I run into problems just go to the office.

I have had issues with Red powerchain fading. But never anything this bad.

Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone ever replaced their powerchain on their own? I really dont think it is that difficult and I don't think they would even notice. I am going on a trip soon and want my teeth to look their best. Any advice would be great.

Yep. It's a piece of cake, even working in reverse in the mirror.

Fortunately for me, my ortho gave me a "stick" of ligatures in case I really needed to change out some badly stained ones. I was worried about professional interactions with yellow or green ligs. It was easy, so I asked for a new stick or ring a couple of times and am willing to change even mildly stained ones in between long appointment gaps and after "adventure eating." I doubt many orthos would be as accommodating, though. It must have been my bawling and the fact that I said I wouldn't unbarricade the door until they handed them over.

I was pretty sure that they wouldn't hand out power chains but, yes, I picked some up online for the same reason. I wouldn't say a chain is easier, but it's still pretty quick. Have only done it once. Just make sure you get high quality ones from your ortho, or legit manufacturer ones that are the same material and strength as your ortho's.

I suspect I'll get tsk-tsk'ed or trolled by someone for doing it, but my ortho (kinda) approved at least the first part. If you do go rogue and get caught by your ortho, however, you didn't hear about it from me!

how do I know if I have long, medium, or short?

That's a really important question! I just looked at the label on the spool of powerchain that they used. I guess you could ask "out of curiousity." I believe the categories are continuous, short, and long. Continuous is easy to determine. Just a bunch of connected circles ( OOOO ) with no space between. I'm not sure I could tell short from long unless they were side by side.

SinkFullOfDinner wrote:That's a really important question! I just looked at the label on the spool of powerchain that they used. I guess you could ask "out of curiousity." I believe the categories are continuous, short, and long. Continuous is easy to determine. Just a bunch of connected circles ( OOOO ) with no space between. I'm not sure I could tell short from long unless they were side by side.

Yep and as usual one of my power chains broke by where a rubberband hits. Its still halfway attached. I guess I will just order all 3 and see what works best....sigh....I think mine are continuous just from looking at the spools at the office previously.

The staining has improved with vigorous brushing luckily. But still not perfect. And irritated about 7 weeks between appts.

jfriend33 wrote:irritated about 7 weeks between appts.

I totally understand the 7-week frustration. I'm right in the middle of a 7-wk gap between appts and will be changing out the front ones on top in the next day or so. There's no way I can make it that long without them looking absolutely frightening, and my ortho is too far away for it to make sense to visit just for a refresh.

I have smoke coloured ones and barely notice them. They don't stain either.

"I have smoke coloured ones and barely notice them. They don't stain either."

Caitrm, do you have metal or ceramic brackets? I'm getting braced next week and trying to determine what color I should request for my ligatures to prevent staining.

Braces47 wrote:"I have smoke coloured ones and barely notice them. They don't stain either."

Caitrm, do you have metal or ceramic brackets? I'm getting braced next week and trying to determine what color I should request for my ligatures to prevent staining.

Sorry for the late reply! I just saw this. I have ceramics. Since I've written this I have noticed that they do stain a bit, but I only really notice if I take a good look at them. Still recommend the smoke colour!

Ceramic uppers and chose grey/ smoke ligatures for rear of staining. They obviously match the wire and haven't stained.