Our goal at Huls Orthodontics is to provide you with the best treatment possible. Whether you or your child needs teeth straightening, we want you to look and feel your best. If your teen needs treatment to improve their teeth and feels self-conscious, clear aligners are a top option. You might want to know if teeth shaving is needed to accommodate this treatment.
What Is Teeth Shaving?
Teeth shaving is a procedure our family orthodontist performs to reduce the amount of enamel in your mouth. It's also known as an interproximal reduction and is used to reshape the teeth. Teeth shaving is done to correct issues like overcrowding to make more room between the teeth. The orthodontist can determine whether this procedure is necessary and how much enamel to remove.
Is Teeth Shaving Necessary for Clear Aligners?
When seeing an orthodontist in Champaign and Monticello, you can expect your child to have a full examination. This is to determine if teeth shaving is necessary when they need clear aligners. In some cases, the procedure is performed when treatment starts with the first set of trays.
It's normal to feel apprehensive about teeth shaving and other similar procedures. However, our family orthodontist wants you to have all the facts. Teeth shaving is usually not done unless your child is already in their teens, and it's only used in certain situations.
Is Teeth Shaving Safe?
Over time, the enamel on the teeth begins to wear away. This is normal as you age. However, it's fair to be concerned about the process of teeth shaving. Of course, your teen is still growing, so it's natural to worry.
Although the loss of enamel can weaken the teeth, there's no need to be concerned about the teeth-shaving process. Its purpose is to correct common orthodontic problems and to prepare someone for braces or clear aligners. For example, if your child has a severe overbite, it can cause them to grind their teeth, which can lead to damage. Teeth shaving is a solution to prevent a bigger problem such as that.
How Much Enamel is Removed During Teeth Shaving?
Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever for our family orthodontist to determine how much enamel to remove during teeth shaving. They can rely on computer models to show what your child's potential results will look like after the procedure. Usually, the amount of enamel removed is as little as 0.2 to 0.5 millimeters. Once the teeth are reshaped, they can properly align so that your teen can be fitted for their clear aligners. This puts them that much closer to getting the beautiful, straight, white smile they've always wanted.
If you are in Illinois and your teen needs clear aligners to straighten their crooked or crowded teeth, or if they have bite issues, Huls Orthodontics can help. Contact us at our Champaign office at (217) 352-4334 or our Monticello office at (217) 762-7313 to schedule a consultation.