What is tooth interproximal reduction? Why do some invisible braces cases require “tooth stripping”?
Invisalign is registered trademark of Align Technology, Inc.What is interproximal reduction?
Interproximal reduction (also termed "tooth stripping" or "interdental reduction") refers to a procedure where a dentist trims away a portion of the thickness a tooth's enamel in that region where (in normal alignment) the tooth touches against the sides of its neighboring teeth.
Why might an Invisalign case require tooth stripping?
In a nutshell, a dentist performs interproximal reduction so to make space for the patient’s tooth realignment. This procedure is typically associated with those situations where tooth crowding is being corrected. Your dentist will be able to tell you if stripping will be required as a part of your Invisalign treatment plan before your case is begun.
Doesn’t performing interproximal tooth reduction damage the patient's teeth?
You might find yourself concerned about the prudence of allowing your dentist to trim away a portion of your misaligned, but otherwise healthy, teeth. In justification of tooth stripping, here are some of the facts and philosophies associated with it.
- Tooth stripping may be the best compromise for your tooth-crowding problem.
- If your teeth are crowded your dentist will need to find some dental arch space in which to realign them. There are, however, only so many options that are available to them by which they can gain this space. Sometimes space can be gained by repositioning the patient's teeth in their dental arch (jawbone) forward, backward or laterally, but this type of movement has limitations. Space can also be gained by extracting (“pulling”) selected teeth. However, doing so may create more space than is needed, not to mention resulting in the loss of teeth. Especially in those instances where only a small amount of space is needed, interproximal reduction can be a very practical space-generating solution.
- Doesn’t tooth stripping damage teeth?
- Clearly when interproximal reduction is performed some tooth enamel is lost. The resulting question then becomes does losing this amount of enamel damage a tooth?
Teeth are not static objects. Each tooth is held in place in its bone by a soft-tissue ligament. This means that as we use our teeth they undergo minor amounts of movement. As a result of this (tooth-to-tooth contact) motion, some wear takes place. In fact, it is common that those surfaces of a tooth that touch neighboring teeth tend to wear flatter over time. The general thought associated with interdental reduction is that the contact points of crowded teeth will not have experienced this wear. The stripping that is performed approximates that amount of tooth enamel loss that would have occurred anyway.
- Are stripped teeth more likely to experience tooth decay?
- There is nothing new about orthodontists performing interproximal reduction on teeth. This procedure has been in use for decades. And over the years many dental researchers have evaluated its long-term effects. A recent study (Zachrisson, 2007) found no increased incidence of dental problems (tooth decay, gum tissue or bone problems) in a group of subjects that had had tooth stripping performed more than ten years previously.
How does a dentist perform tooth stripping?
A dentist can perform interproximal reduction by hand (using flexible diamond-coated strips that are worked back and forth between your teeth) or else using a dental drill. The method that they utilize will probably be selected according to how much stripping is required. If just a small amount is needed (.3mm or less) the by-hand method is usually chosen because it gives the dentist greater control over the amount of enamel that is removed. For larger amounts of reduction, a dentist will usually use a dental drill to perform the stripping.
With which ever method your dentist does choose, during the reduction process they will intermittently fit a small thickness gauge of known width into the gap they are creating so to measure it. Once they have widened the gap to an appropriate size, the amount of reduction that has been performed on each tooth will be documented in your dental chart. Any future stripping that is performed will also be documented so no tooth has too much enamel removed.
What's it feel like when interdental reduction is performed?
Your dentist may need to strip your teeth more than once.
You will have to ask your dentist what is in store for you during your treatment. You may only need to have interproximal reduction performed one time, or possibly a few times. Many times a patient's latter strippings are less involved and are accomplished using the flexible diamond coated strip technique.
Will you notice gaps between your teeth after they have been stripped?
After your interproximal reduction is performed you will notice small gaps between your teeth. After all, making space is the whole idea associated with the procedure. Your new gaps may not, however, be nearly as apparent to others. And of course, as your treatment progresses your gaps will become smaller and smaller until they are fully closed.
