Is It Required That Teeth Are Shaved to Correct Crowding with Invisalign? Can Teeth Not Be Shaved with Invisalign?

 The good news is that IPR, or shaving of teeth, can be reduced and/or eliminated in most Invisalign cases if the dentist requests this when he submits the case for review (clincheck).  Expansion and then tightening teeth later (called "roundhousing") can help this.  Sometimes even traditional braces requires IPR.  Be sure and express your desires to your Orthodontic provider.  If it is required, ask him where and how much, as many times it is very minor and may be acceptable.  Good luck!

Whether or not slenderizing or narrowing of the teeth is necessary depends on the severity of the crowding.  Any time there is crowding, space needs to be somehow created.  There are 3 ways to do this either singly or in combination: widen (expand) the arch, take out a tooth (or teeth), or make some of the teeth slightly skinnier.  Most crowded cases are due to narrow dental arches so it's better to expand, however this takes time and is best done with traditional braces.  For a 15-year old with crowding, it's most likely due to narrow arches, so I would have several orthodontic opinions before allowing someone "shave" the teeth.  Hope this helps!