Interproximal Reduction (IPR), Slenderizing, Attachments

I am still on my first tray and it got the point where I was able to suck my aligners off my tongue, until the other day when I got my attachments.

Interproximal Reduction
I had an appointment at the dentist to get Interproximal Reduction (IPR) or you may have heard it being called slenderizing. I was going to try and explain what it is but I found a website that I think explained it a lot better...

"Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the removal of small amounts of outer enamel tooth surface between two adjacent teeth. It is a means to acquire additional space to create ideal tooth alignment. Alternative names include: slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction, and reproximation."

http://www.bracesquestions.com/static/braces-living/orthodontic-treatment/interproximal-reduction-ipr/

The website also goes on about the benefits and the procedure in greater detail, would recommend you check it out! And read on to see my take on it and what it felt like!

My dentist told me it wouldn't hurt when he first mentioned that I got it done. It didn't hurt, it was a bit uncomfortable. It didn't take him that long to do it, I need 4 teeth that will need IPR but I only got two done that day and I wont get the next lot done until my 6/7 tray I think. I have had mine done quite early on as these are the movements that need to be done first.

I know he numbed my gums with a gel and the simply removed 0.5mm of tooth! The uncomfortable part was when he was polishing tooth, after he had done that he put a metal bit inbetween my tooth to see if the gap was big enough and it was, and he moved on the next tooth. When I got up I did notice that there was a little bit of blood on a tissue but not much. Abit later my gums were a little bit sore, I don't think I would have noticed if I didn't have my invisalign on.

Attachments

After a quick count I have 9 attachments in my mouth, 3 of them are on the top and then 6 at the bottom. Again, getting your attachments fitted wasn't painful, uncomfortable though. Your teeth need to be bone dry and a quick polish before then what I believe is a template is fitted on your mouth and then an attachment is added. It is then picked at to see if its hard and solid and then the template is taken off (Sorry if this is not 100% correct this is what appeared to be happen whilst I sat with my mouth wide open). The attachments felt very rough to begin with without my aligners on, I've got used to them now though.

My dentist then said the attachments had been fitted and gave me back my aligners. He then sat eagerly watching me and asked me to put them back in, I snapped them back in, it took a little bit more force than normal. Then he said, now take them out. I looked at him a little puzzled but then I tried to take my aligners out the way I normally would and I couldn't. I was really trying, they wouldn't come out! It felt like I was pulling my teeth out, they had never been this tight before. He then told me to start at the back on one side and then peel it off and work my way round. Believe me that is a lot more easier said than done but eventually I did it and snapped them back in my mouth.

He then gave me 3 sets of aligners taking me up to tray 4 and then asked me to book an appointment in at reception for 7 weeks time and it will just be a check up to see how I am doing and the appointment after will be more IPR.

Read my general update to see how I am getting on!