Power Chains

Message

#1 Post by **Big H** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:06 am

Previously someone posted on this web site something to the extent that power chains lose their elasticity within a rather short period of time and no longer apply the force necessary to close gaps. This individual stated that they went in frequently perhaps every two weeks to have their power chains replaced to keep the forces working on their teeth. I forgot to ask my orthodontist about this issue when he put on my first set of power chains last week. Does anyone have any knowledge about this issue?
Thanks,
Big H

#2 Post by **SnowSara** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:44 am

I just got a power chain on a couple weeks ago and am curious as well!

#3 Post by **SimInsomniac** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:37 am

I'm not completely sure about this but I don't think they lose their elasticity within a few weeks. I actually found that my main gap closure came about a month after I first got powerchains. Maybe this is something to do with the roots though... I had my first chain for about 2 months before getting it changed and this one I've had for about 7 weeks and I may get it changed on Thursday when I go in for an emergency appointment. My ortho doesn't seem to worry about a loss in force in this time.

Sim

#4 Post by **JumpTheDitch** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:00 am

When I got my first powerchain my ortho told me their main force of 'tooth-moving' elasticity last for about a week, after which they began to gradually lose tension. They do however continue to work (at a continually reducing rate) over the (usually) 6-8 weeks between adjustments.

I may well be wrong but I get the impression that powerchains perform a dual function. Although they begin lose their initial tooth-moving capacity after the first week or so, they maintain they position into which they've moved your teeth until the next adjustment.

My ortho doesn't like using coloured powerchains to perform movement, but it happy to use them to hold or maintain position. He says he's found the standard gray chains are more effective in moving the teeth. So last adjustment he was happy to put a purple powerchain on the bottom (where movement required is minimal) but preferred to use a gray one on the top (where extraction gaps need closing).

That colour can have an effect on capacity for movement is an odd sounding concept, I admit, but he's the expert

.

#5 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:18 am

I guess perhaps it's the brand rather than the colour that's important?

My ortho only supplies clear chains as he said he doesn't get enough people asking for colours for it to be worth his while offering them (although I feel sure that if he had colours available, people would want them) He did say that he got some blue chain in for somebody once but that he didn't like it as much as the clear ones he normally uses, as it was a different brand and didn't seem so "elastic".

Having said that, I've provided my own purple chain - shipped all the way from the US! - which he has agreed to use on me so far, and it seems to be doing its job.

#6 Post by **SnowSara** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:21 am

I have a purple power chain, too!

it looks more pink than purple in this photo, though.

I could really feel the pressure pulling inwards for the first couple of days, it was also put on in conjunction with a new archwire. I can really feel the "perfect" arch of my teeth now. I have a feeling I'll be in chains for awhile, the main part of my treatment is pulling teeth together to fill in gaps.

#7 Post by **Mommynbraces** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:18 pm

I got power chains at the first appointment. I have a power chain on the rotated premolars that I have. Are power chains changed at every adjustment?