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ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Crowded teeth are a common trait in many patients who seek orthodontic treatment.

Sometimes achieving ideal alignment requires more than simply shifting teeth. In some cases of overcrowding, interproximal reduction helps provide enough room to align teeth properly, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and St. Paul, MN orthodontist.

“Interproximal reduction is a technique I often use in conjunction with Invisalign treatment, ” said Eisenhuth, who is an Eagan and St. Paul, MN Invisalign provider. “It can provide quicker results in many cases when combined with orthodontics.”

Interproximal reduction is the removal of a tiny amount of enamel between teeth to slightly decrease their width.  This technique also is known as slenderizing, enamel reduction, stripping, selective reduction or reproximation.

How the Process Works
First, Eisenhuth must determine if the patient is a candidate for the procedure by considering each individual patient’s teeth shape and size, their alignment, positions and the patient’s facial features.

Front teeth create the framework upon which the lips rest, so their position alone plays an important role in a person’s facial appearance.

Once Eisenhuth, St. Paul Invisible Braces Expert, identifies which teeth to slenderize, she uses a small, flexible file strip- referred to as a lightning strip- to gently remove tiny layers of the enamel along the sides of the teeth, she said. The small amount of enamel removed does not affect the tooth, which remains healthy and sound.

This procedure creates the necessary space to allow the teeth to be shifted into place and fit closely together without being overcrowded. This shifting process helps Eisnehuth create an ideal bite pattern and appearance for each patient.

Because most teeth are wider at the bottom and taper slightly at the gum, interproximal reduction sometimes helps prevent what is known as a “black triangle.” This is the open space that often results when two neighboring teeth don’t fit tightly against each other near the gumline, which creates the appearance of a dark hole or space, Eisenhuth, a St. Paul Braces Expert, said.

“My goal as an orthodontist is to properly align each patient’s teeth in a manner that best promotes good oral health, and also to create the most aesthetically pleasing smile possible,” she said. “A black triangle can detract from that beautiful smile, so having a technique such as interproximal reduction at my disposal offers a simple, painless way to correct that.”

Once Eisenhuth has performed interproximal reduction on a patient, she may recommend a topical flouride treatment and a flouride rinse to use for a short time. This can help teeth maintain their resistance to tooth decay.

In some cases, patients may experience slightly increased tooth sensitivity in the area after interproximal reduction, but this can be alleviated by using a toothpaste designed for aiding in tooth sensitivity.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about the Eagan and St. Paul, MN orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com/.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

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