metal tie vs. elastomeric ligature

[mathyou9]

So I just had my first adjustment since getting my braces on. I recall hearing the orthodontist telling his assistant about using on a powerchain for a few teeth.

Anyway, for my top and bottom canines (left side only) the assistant used metal ties. The top has a powerchain (canine and premolar only). There's no powerchain on the bottom, though, but the canine bracket (with the metal tie) also has a regular elastomeric ligature.

I understand using the metal tie for use with powerchain, but what exactly is accomplished in using a metal tie in conjunction with an elastomeric ligature? Is more force applied to the tooth?

Thanks.

:-)

[ajs2294]

Hey mathyou,
I'm pretty sure both elastic ligatures and metal ties do the exact same thing. Maybe your dentist was trying to insure your arch-wire would not pop off during you treatment? The only other reason Ive heard for actually using wire ties is ascetics but it would defeat the purpose if you use both a metal tie and elastic ligatures.

[SoxFan]

This is something I intend to ask my doc about when I'm in later this week as so far, initial placement and first adjustment, i've only had metal wire ties used. I've found them to be rather uncomfortable at times, if the end of a tie gets bent out of place and into position where it can get caught on the tounge, lips, etc... and a pain when flossing as the floss will often get snagged and ripped up on them. I'm curious as to the reason simply becuase when I had braces as a kid i don't think wire ties were ever used, just the rubber ligatures, then again wasn't really paying much attention then, perhaps why i'm a repeat patient.

- Jon

[Sunny]

Mathyou a powerchain is made from rubber and is like a row of ligatures joined together.

Lacing is often done when teeth are in the right place and the ortho doesn't want them moved apart ... lacing is done by using a thin wire to lace the brackets together.

Wire ties can be used for two main reasons ... one is to use them instead of ligatures. We do this for many of our clients who want discreet ceramic brackets. We have a teflon coated (white) wire that we use. The biggest advantage with the wires, is they don't stain. The other main reason for wire ties is to use the wire to put pressure on the tooth/archwire/bracket wing in a certain way. This is often useful when pulling a tooth to the archwire or when rotating teeth, although ligatures can be used to do this ... just in a different way.

Some ortho's put a ligature on top of a wire tie, if it's thought the wire tie might cause discomfort to the client. For example if their mouth is already sensitive, or it's considered the 'wound ends' may come out and annoy the persons mouth. It's a nice thing that some ortho's will add, for clients who like the colours of ligs, as opposed to the boring grey/silver of wire ties.