Metal Mouth Message Board

My ortho said at my first adjustment I have to have another molar band put on and something called "slenderizing?" done on my bottom middle teeth can anyone tell me what the heck that means?? It sounds like they need to go on a diet or something. Lol. Thanks of anyone can help.

Lori

Hi, there! She's probably talking about IPR, which is when they file in between your teeth to make them thinner. I had this done on my bottom teeth, and also between my two top front. They then put a powerchain on (take Advil regularly before and after, because this can cause a lot of soreness) to close the gap. The filing is no big deal - your mouth gets pretty dry from the tooth dust, but it doesn't hurt at all. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip!! Wish I would've known to take Tylenol before having them put on!!!

Two questions:

What's a powerchain?
Any idea why they want the teeth to be thinner?

I of course didn't ask him. Lol

can this cause any tooth sensitivity. i think i had this done between my two lower bottom front teeth, and now one of the teeth is incrediably sensitive.....even air hurts it......and cool water, yikes! i'm ok w/ warm stuff but ouch it's sooooo sensitive now.

llbill wrote:Thanks for the tip!! Wish I would've known to take Tylenol before having them put on!!!

Two questions:

What's a powerchain?
Any idea why they want the teeth to be thinner?

I of course didn't ask him. Lol

Hi llbill, it's usually to gain a little bit of space to move, tilt, or rotate a tooth or several that wouldn't move without that space. A powerchain is like the individual ties but all connected, it helps close spaces.

Thanks so much!! I feel like an idiot now. I'm 28 and have entered this realm with absolutely no knowledge. What a nice thing to have. This website is awesome.

Yes it is.... I don't remember anything like this being around the first time I had braces. This is one of the best braces-related sites I have ever seen, when I was researching something I found like 47 pages of posts from people HERE and not much from any other sites online.

Slenderizing, IPR, interproximal reduction, filing, and shaving. These are some terms for removing some of the enamel between teeth. It is completely safe if done properly, does not require a needle, and will not cause cavities or sensitivity.

Check out this link for a video on the procedure: http://www.torontobraces.ca/gettingstarted/#4

I've had this done a few times because I have a tooth that is slightly too big to fit in it's spot. My ortho uses a strip that to me feels like sandpaper and files the sides of that tooth. It doesn't hurt, but it is slightly unpleasant. Not looking forward to getting it done again at my next adjustment.

Hi! I know it's been a while since the last answer but I want to ask about the slenderizing and as there's already a topic about it...
well the thing is that I'm going to get invisalign but first they say that they have to slenderize between my teeth...does it hurt? I mean, with the drill they can't accidentally touch my gums and I think it would be painful...I'm a little bit worried about this as you can see... opinions would be apreciated :)

I haven't gotten it done but have read many posts here taht say it is it completely painless.. it's like a mini file or something, not really a "drill" in the cavity-drilling kind of drill. maybe I'm wrong, but I heard the file is really thin and small and they take off a really small portion of the sides of your teeth. I wouldn't worry if I were getting it done, and I'm a big chicken

I will be getting this done on May 27 when I get my braces on. My teeth are quite tight but I do not need any pulled. My Ortho said that he would do the slenderizing tooth by tooth as needed when he put the brackets on. Does that mean 'powerchains' in my future?

I'm supposed to be getting this done at my next adjustment. In my case, it's because my bottom teeth are slightly wider at the top, so when they are straight there's a little triangle of space at the gum line. The ortho said that by doing a little filing (or IPR) he can make them fit together better without that little space.

Does anyone know if they can also use the same technique for fixing the bottom of some teeth that are different lengths? For instances, due to one of my front teeth being pretty turned in, it is almost rounded on the bottom instead of straight just from wearing down. I hope it can be fixed too

If you're scared about getting your teeth filed don't worry, I was so nervous but it ended up being nothing!