Getting Slenderizing IPR for Invisalign | Pain, Sensitivity & Bleeding Gums

I got IPR slenderising as part of my Invisalign treatment plan. Here's how I managed at my third session!

Right at the beginning I saw my Invisalign plan, and I knew exactly when the IPR was coming. I decided to get IPR instead of getting teeth pulled (which was the other option).

For the third IPR treatment, I arrived in a really positive mind space. I was reclined back in the chair as the tools were set-up beside me. We were ready to roll! The IPR tool is loud... I'll be honest, it sounds like a dentist drill to my untrained ears. The sound didn't bother me, but the VIBRATION was intense. A numbing, buttery vibration inside my skull. Not pleasant, but not unbearable. The best bit? It was over within a few minutes. I'd guess 1-minute per gap. Easy peasy. There was a vacuum straw to suck away any debris. A slight taste and smell reminiscent of... nail file (?)... a little gritty, but I swirled with water and the taste was away. My tongue felt the new gaps, there was a slight 'edge' to feel, but nothing too noticeable. They felt slightly less rounded. The gaps were closed by the very next tray!

Pain? Sensitivity? So, during THIS round of IPR I felt no pain. However, the first two IRP sessions (at the side) I did feel sharp nicks. I winced. The ortho backed off. And there was no lasting pain what so ever.

Sensitivity.. Well. I don't have sensitive teeth. I don't have hot or cold sensitive teeth. I can bite ice cream. So I didn't feel any sensitivity. But maybe that's not too surprising.

So, I'll be honest. I was too nervous and stressed to film my first two IPR sessions. I was cold-sweating in the waiting room. But after a pep-talk from the lovely nurse, I had steadied my breathing enough and we were ready to begin. My teeth were INCREDIBLY cramped... hard-to-get-the-floss-in level cramped. So they started off with ribbon-strips to make a little room. Then moved onto the mechanical IPR-bit (that looks like a flossing-bow with a metal file in it). The IPR was over before I knew it. That was the best bit. I was sat up, swirled and I did taste blood (the two sessions, maybe best I didn't film those!). But the bleeding stopped right away, and there was no blood in my trays at all. They'd only been nicked (which did hurt for a little second, I winced and the ortho knew).

I'm really happy with how my smile is coming along. The gaps come and go as the trays change. Stick around to see more of my Invisalign journey!

Thanks to Rhu McKelvey, my orthodontist and all the staff at Beam Orthodontics in Dundee. A big thank you for calming my initial IPR nerves, and letting me film!

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