Whether you do a lot of research prior to scheduling your consultation or you booked your appointment knowing next to nothing about Invisalign, there’s a good chance you’ll learn a lot in the treatment chair. For example, what is interproximal reduction? Does it hurt? Why is it necessary? Your orthodontist will answer any questions you have during your visit, but don’t hesitate to read on if you want to learn more in the meantime.
So, What Is Interproximal Reduction?
IPR. Slenderizing. Selective reduction. Interproximal reduction. These are all terms used for the same procedure; the procedure of removing a small portion of your enamel to make room so your teeth can move into their properly aligned positions. This might sound a bit scary at first, but for years teeth were simply extracted to address overcrowding. So, this is a much more conservative, but equally as effective, approach to creating more room in your mouth.
Does Interproximal Reduction Hurt?
Naturally, one of the first questions patients ask is, “Will it hurt?” Good news: the process of removing some of your enamel doesn’t hurt at all. In fact, numbing your mouth usually isn’t necessary – it’s that painless. Your orthodontist will simply use a dental hand piece to re-shape your tooth, creating more space for movement in the process. Most of the time, it only takes a few minutes, so you’ll be in and out of the treatment chair pretty quickly too!
How Do I Know If I Need Interproximal Reduction?
Each Invisalign treatment plan is customized to the patient’s unique dental needs and smile goals. So, whether or not you need interproximal reduction will be something your orthodontist decides after determining which orthodontic problems are present and assessing the severity of your case. From there, they can determine factors unique to your treatment, including how many clear aligners need to be made, if rubber bands or any other orthodontic accessories need to be added to your treatment plan, and, of course, if interproximal reduction is necessary.
About the Practice
For our team at Milton Orthodontics, brackets, clear aligners, interproximal reduction, and everything else related to braces are an everyday thing. We recognize that’s not the case for our patients, which is why, in addition to providing custom care, we’re here to be an on-going resource. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the treatment process – from your first consultation to your final appointment. So, if you want to learn more about interproximal reduction or anything else related to the teeth-straightening process, don’t hesitate to visit our website.
