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There is no typical time when people get powerchains, as everyone has a different case and requires different things at different times in treatment. I've read posts from people on this board who got powerchains at their very first adjustment. I, however, didn't get them until I was in braces for six months.
It just depends on when your ortho decides they require them for your treatment.
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
I got my powerchains on day one. The reason for it were my four extraction gaps. So really, you will get them when you need them, like when you have gaps created that need closing. Oh, and trust me, you don't want them. They can cause you real pain.
I got a powerchain on my upper center teeth. I actually asked the ortho "Is there anything more aggressive to close the gap?" She said yes. Thus the powerchain, the most painful strip of synthetic material ever invented!!!
On the plus side, you see results almost immediately! It has made me feel better about the "Grand Canyon" gap between my teeth! Ask the ortho, maybe he/she is waiting on you to vent your desire for more aggressive treatment? My ortho said she didnt want to bombard me in the beginning. That's why she didnt do it from day one.
31 yr old married female
Metal top and bottom 4/6/2005
Bluegrass Appliance & Power Chain
I got a powerchain across my two front teeth the day I got my upper braces on! It hecka hurt but I did see some great progress then!
The day I got my bottom braces on I got two huge powerchains across two huge extraction gaps. I wasn't really expecting that but they did it anyway. THings is that the powerchain across my extraction gaps are causing other gaps to appear near those teeth! I haven't gotten a powerchain across those gaps but hopefully soon!
People get powerchains at different times but if you are really concerned you should ask your ortho!
Good luck!
-Hannah
Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05
Next Adjustment was 1/11/06 but now is rescheduled to 1/21/06
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
My teeth must be real stubborn! I've had powerchains from near the beginning of my treatment (2 and 1/2 yrs ago) and sometimes doubled up on each arch.... My 4 extraction gaps are almost all closed now. I've been assured by my ortho that they will be when I go back for my next adjustment on Feb 13th - then I'll be entering my "final phase", which is well overdue
Yay, I love Northern Californians! I'm born and raised in Richmond /El Sobrante (the nice part!) It's about 20 mins away from Oakland. Good to see more people here from the Bay Area!
Back on topic: I like powerchains because my teeth move way faster, and I had mostly gaps. Also, I like the way the colors go all the way across!
THings is that the powerchain across my extraction gaps are causing other gaps to appear near those teeth! 
I haven't gotten a powerchain across those gaps but hopefully soon! 
