Orthodontics - Teeth Stripping ('Enamel Shaving'?!? - eek)

[Nick99]

Hello,

I’m a long time mumsnet reader but first time poster! Here because I am fretting about orthodontics : {

Our whole family have a history of very crowded teeth - myself and my husband both had four teeth out (two at the top plus two at the bottom) followed by a couple of years of braces. So when we took my 14 year old for his first orthodontic appointment we were expecting a similar path. However….

My son does have a slightly smaller (or set back?) lower jaw, the orthodontist pointed this out, and following the X-rays etc. said she’d recommend ‘enamel shaving’ of almost all his teeth instead of tooth removal, to avoid possible movement of his jaw. It was quite a high pressure appointment and we were sort of pushed into signing up on the spot. On leaving the appointment though, the reality of signing him up for ‘shaving the enamel’ from both sides of most of his teeth is dawning on me!!

Following the appointment I’ve had another really good look at his teeth – they are crowded, overlapping and two are pushed right out of place. It’s just making me fret exactly how much enamel they will need to remove to be able to make enough space to make them fit (BTW I have not been fretting in front of my son so as not to freak him out). Google searches seem to suggest tooth extraction is far more normal.

So can I ask: has anyone else had experience of this ‘enamel shaving’? (also called ‘Interproximal reduction’ or terrifyingly - ‘teeth stripping’ eek)?

Were there any side effects like increased sensitivity to hot/cold?

How did the procedure itself go?

And if there are any dentists reading this, does this recommendation sound normal to you? (can teeth removal really cause the jaw to move, and why would this be any different to making the same amount of space with enamel stripping?)

Thanks for any advice/thoughts at all on this. The whole thing is completely stressing me out.

Thanks loads.

Anyone? : }

Has anyone even heard of this treatment before? It worries me that it seems to be so unusal vs. extraction...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts... : }

Sounds bonkers to me.

Especially as she is talking about doing it to all his teeth. Please get a second opinion and you cannot be held to whatever you pressure-signed.

I had this many years ago. I don't have any increased sensitivity to those teeth, or any problems with them.

Enamel is there for a reason and I can't think why stripping it off is a good idea. It sounds ridiculous. But I'm not a dentist. Why not try to get a second opinion?

I have no advice about this intervention versus tooth extraction, but I had this procedure done a few years ago and it was absolutely fine. I was frightened about pain, but the process itself was completely pain-free - it just feels like having your nails filed! They will take very tiny amounts off each tooth, so it will barely be noticeable. I've had no increased sensitivity either. Good luck!

I had IPR between most teeth during Invisalign treatment, with no ill effects. It's offered because it's much less invasive than extractions. It isn't as drastic as it sounds; they just pass a thin strip of abrasive paper, like the very top layer of a nail file, between the teeth a couple of times.

I suppose there's an increased risk of sensitivity if too much is taken off and the dentin is exposed, but I wouldn't be concerned with this unless I thought the dentist was an idiot. In which case, I'd not be seeking extractions from them either.

Maybe watching a couple of youtube videos demonstrating it will alleviate your concern.

I also had IPR with Invisalign and it was fine. I was freaked out about removing enamel, but like the pp said, it's just a flexible nail file and they take a tiny tiny amount off. Could you speak to a different orthodontist though for another opinion? There's only so much they can take out until extraction becomes a better option I suppose (they wanted to do extraction with me for a better result, but I didn't want that much disruption !)

Obviously I'm not a professional but that does sounds scary. I would worry about tooth sensitivity and decay if I was you. Get a second and third opinion. Read and inform yourself before going ahead.

Thanks so much for your thoughts guys. I am now planning a second opinion but its great to know some of you have had this treatment and it's been OK. Thanks : }