Today was the day for Interproximal Reduction!

Today was the day I was to insert tray 11 of 22! That also meant it was time to do an Interproximal Reduction! What? That sounds scary!  But, it really isn't. I think I have spent more time using an Emory board to file my nails than the orthodontist spent making spaces in my mouth.

Interproximal reduction (also known as slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction, reproximation and selective reduction) is a means by which additional space is acquired for your teeth. My orthodontist stripped my teeth by hand (using a flexible diamond-coated strip that's worked back and forth between my teeth) and a dental drill. I didn't feel any pain and it was a super quick fix!  The new tray went in my mouth and I just had the usual tightness.  I did come home and immediately pop a 600 mg Ibuprofen for good measure!


I will wear tray 11 for two weeks, and then once I put in tray 12 I will be officially halfway through the trays. Hooray! That is of course, if no additional trays are ordered.  I won't know if I need to do any refinement trays for some time.

I'm getting used to the nuances of wearing Invisalign and I'm glad that I see results. I see the light now (literally between my teeth!) I have what they call "black holes" but I'm still hoping these will fill in. The black holes are gaps that have resulted from my teeth shifting.  The IPR is supposed to help eliminate or reduce the appearance of these black holes.  Time will tell!

My original smile with crowding!

After IPR and with tray 11 and rubber bands!

I also don't know if I will be wearing rubberbands on both sides of my mouth for the remainder of the trays. It's all a work in progress.

Still smiling!
Sylvia