Are you seeking the finest solution for your crowded teeth but are unsure how the IPR Invisalign technique works?
If your answer is yes, you’ve come to the correct place since we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the IPR, including whether it’s safe and why Invisalign employs it.
Every orthodontic treatment should be something you plan ahead of time and contact your dentist’s office for more information. But in the meantime, we’ll provide you with all the information so that you can be prepared.
So, if you’re looking forward to your ideal smile but concerned about the process, keep reading to learn more.
What is interproximal reduction?
Interproximal reduction is a common procedure that some individuals with crowded teeth usually undergo before starting Invisalign. Because some cases of teeth crowding prevent aligners from working effectively due to a lack of space in the jaw, your dentist may consider IPR.
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While the phrase “interproximal reduction” may be strange, it refers to the dentist’s use of specially developed equipment to file away portions of your enamel.
Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that is super-hard tissue that is a few millimeters thick.
Interproximal reduction IPR is done with flexible and fine dental tools that look like thick floss or sandpaper. This tool will strip the tooth enamel just enough so that the straightening procedure can take place and you can have enough space for the movement of teeth with Invisalign.
Is reduction IPR necessary for Invisalign?
Invisalign is a fantastic procedure that will give you the confident smile you deserve, but it is not without limits. Teeth crowding is one of the most common reasons for requiring alignment.
This occurs in people who do not have adequate room in their upper and lower jaws, causing teeth to grow crowded and overlap in order to compensate. Straightening those teeth is impossible since there is just no room for them, however, the doctor may offer a technique like IPR during your initial appointment.
Your orthodontist will use special diamond strips to create space between the troublesome teeth while carefully removing tooth enamel. This is required for the Invisalign aligner treatment to be effective.
Once the enamel is removed the area will have less traction and teeth will move freely into the designated position. Invisalign clear aligners will gently push the rest of the teeth into optimal position and you will lose no teeth in the process.
Is interproximal reduction IPR safe?
Any orthodontic procedure, such as IPR, may appear to be overly abrasive and dangerous to your teeth, but the fact is that it is the most effective technique to achieve the perfect smile quickly.
Your tooth enamel is approximately 2.5 millimeters thick, and the IPR procedure will only lower it by 0.2 millimeters. This implies that the orthodontic treatment is perfectly safe and merely involves polishing the outer layer of certain teeth to provide enough room for the rest of them to be placed in your mouth.
IPR will not damage your teeth and there is no risk of tooth decay because the dentist will strip just the problematic point of each tooth.
The IPR treatment is not only safe but completely pain-free, you just feel a slight discomfort while the tooth is being reduced to a healthy size. This small change on one or multiple teeth can make a huge difference with your Invisalign treatment.
Teeth will have enough room to be positioned in the proper place and aligners will work better.
Is IPR painful?
No, IPR is not painful. This is because the tooth enamel that is being treated has no nerve endings and thus the patient will feel nothing but the surfaces being reduced.
The diamond disc file will gently remove enamel and create room for other teeth to come into the right position with Invisalign clear aligners. The amount of enamel removed is minimal and you could feel just a bit of discomfort.
After the treatment is done your teeth might be sensitive for a few days, just like after cleaning, but there are no additional problems.
This means you can wear your clear aligners as soon as they are ready for you.
What are the alternatives for crowded teeth?
Before you determine whether IPR is the right treatment for you, we must discuss another option in this article. For years, crowded teeth have impeded flawless smiles, and several procedures have been created to assist fix the condition.
IPR may be one of the finest and least invasive procedures available today, but make sure to question your doctor about alternative options during your first visit.
Tooth extraction is another technique to generate more space in your jaw, therefore your orthodontist may recommend that you do so first. Depending on the severity of the crowding, surgeons will frequently remove one or more teeth to provide room for the alignment of others.
This method was very popular before, but now there are more sophisticated ways to get your perfect smile like IPR. In addition, always make sure that during your consultation you ask about the recovery time needed after the teeth extractions.
Most patients decide that IPR is the better and overall safer solution because every teeth is important for the structure of your jaw and overall health. While extraction is the only solution for some orthodontics problems, you should reconsider the recovery process and choose the best plan for you.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign treatment is one of the best and most effective ways to get your perfect and confident smile, but sometimes you need to make sure the teeth have enough space to move in the jaw.
This can be accomplished by removing some teeth by extraction or simply using the IPR technique for creating enough space.
Considering that IPR is better for preserving your teeth and removing just a small amount of enamel most patients will choose this orthodontic process. Right after the width of your teeth is reduced you can create custom molds and have your Invisalign treatment started right away.
IPR often sounds more serious than it is, and today IPR stands for one of the best dental procedures you can get done before the alignment treatments.