Closing a large diastema

[Dee17]

Does anyone know if it is possible to close a large (4 mm) diastema between two front teeth without using powerchains? How much time will be added to treatment if these are not used. Thank you.

[Angel269]

Do you have any photos at all?

I think mine was probably between 3-4 mm and I had closure of 1mm in the first month with just archwires (no powerchains). I assume there can be some closure based on my own experience but not sure if it can do the full closure without powerchains.

I imagine that i will be getting my poewerchains within the next couple of appointments-is it just the worry of the pain, as to why you don't want powerchains?

I have heard in can be painful or uncomfortable but I am aware that it is part of what I am doing to get the result that I am after and will just make sure that I take pain relief to counteract any discomfort from the powerchains.

[Dee17]

Everything I've read so far about them tells me that it is a pretty painful process. So, I was just wondering if the gap could be closed without going that route.

[Glandyover]

Powerchains weren't all that bad really. I say go with what's suggested by the ortho and take Ibuprofen if needed.

[Dee17]

well, of course I'll follow my orthodontist's advice. I was just wondering if they are always necessary. I'd be willig to extend my treatment time in order to avoid having powerchains on my teeth.

[AM21]

I don't know how much closure can be made without powerchains, I've had powerchains for a while now and as my diastema was closing, my teeth did ache and were sore somewhat. But I just took some ibuprofen for a few days and my teeth settled down.

Powerchains are really not that bad, you get use to them pretty much the same way you get used to braces.

[Dee17]

Yeah, I'm sure you get used to them and it probably doesn't take that long. I'm just a big wimp when it comes to being forced to endure pain so I'm trying to see if there's a case to be made with my orthodontist to not have powerchains put on at all.

[Mitch11]

Hi Dee,
I've had powerchains since Day 1 and am now used to them, and I've got a big gap between my 2 front teeth. It really doesn't hurt, it's just the pressure you feel which is pretty much constant. My teeth take it in turns and get sensitive though

I'm not telling you this to make you feel better, different people do react differently, but I have a low pain threshold, so I would definitely tell you if the pain was unbearable. Will tell you this, for a diastema there will probably be powerchains in your future.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Dee17]

I haven't actually been in for a consultation with an orthodontist yet. That is happening at the end of the month. My diastema is probably about 4 mm wide by now and it looks just dreadful. I can't wait to get this taken care of. Thanks for letting me know about your experience. It does make me feel a bit better.

[Dee17]

I meant to ask you how large the gap is between your teeth? Have you always had it? Mine has just appeared recently after having two extractions. It's been a very upsetting experience, I can tell you.

[nikkibabie19]

I have no clue how large my diastema is...But to me it looks like i was missing a teeth. So i assume it was large.

In the 1st month without powerchains i had a bit of closure but to me it was due to my teeth being protruded and as it straighten out the gap closed a bit..

but like the others say....the powerchains work wonders in a matter of days....
And you get used to them in about 1day..It isnt painful (to me atleast) just pressure..But by the end of the day u get used to it...

Especially when u see results within 1 week....
I havent heard any horror stories about havin powerchains.....O_o

And i dont think that the wire alone will get the teeth close together.....the wire from what i know is designed to get the teeth in proper alignment in the arch etc....
Closing gaps is the power chains job, because it pulls teeth together, especially if there are extraction gaps involved....But who knows there maybe other methods to do that...

So have a word with ur ortho....
Let us kno how it goes....

Goodluck

[Dee17]

Did you end up having brackets on both your upper and lower teeth? I'm trying to figure out if I can avoid having brackets on my lower teeth because they are very straight.

[nikkibabie19]

Yes i have lower and upper braces.

I tort my teeth we straight too but after getting a teeth clean before i got the braces a space was created between my lateral and central incisor on the left side...So i'll need a power chain there i presume..

Other than that my arch is fine and but i have one SLIGHTLY rotate 2nd premolar...(that i didnt know about until orthodontist)

I guess when u have ur consult and molds etc the ortho woul discuss a proposed treatment plan...Might be single arch....who knows...

[MakeKeyOver]

Did you end up having brackets on both your upper and lower teeth? I'm trying to figure out if I can avoid having brackets on my lower teeth because they are very straight.

I think it is rare for orthodontists to agree to do braces on only one arch vs. on both. I was told that it is very difficult to create or maintain a good 'bite' without braces on both upper and lowers.

As far as power-chains go, I think you can close a gap without them but it would take soooooooo much longer. I know of people who claim that their gaps were closed with retainers back in the day and they never even got braces; just a retainer! I was told this was not an option but I'm not sure if its because they don't do that anymore or if its because my gap is too large...

[Dee17]

Hi thanks for your message.
I just finished looking at your blog page and saw your pictures. My gap is probably about as wide as yours. I do not really want to wear brackets on both my uppers and lowers. All my bottom teeth are very straight. I sort of think though that you need brackets on both sets so that the upper teeth have something to pull against during the closing process.
I think your teeth will look just beautiful when you're all finished. Good luck with your treatment. I haven't actually begun my journey. I have yet to have a consultation with an orthodontist and am still not 100% sure that I'm going to opt for braces. I may just see if I can live with this crappy gap in my teeth. I don't know if I'll be able to, though, because it looks really terrible.