<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the deliberate removal of part of the dental enamel from the interproximal contact areas, which decreases the mesiodistal width of a tooth. This enamel may be removed for various reasons, but most commonly to create space during orthodontic treatment or to correct tooth-size discrepancies. Several authors have also encouraged its use as a method by which post-orthodontic stability might be enhanced, particularly in the lower anterior region. With the increased use of removable aligners for orthodontic treatment in which non-extraction therapy is often advocated, the use of IPR becomes a valuable tool to relieve crowding without over-expanding the dental arches.</p><p>It is possible that inaccurate IPR could result in the over-reduction of enamel, the creation of ledges and notches in the proximal surfaces, increased tooth sensitivity or damage to the surrounding soft tissues. However, carefully conducted IPR performed within the recommended guidelines may be used as a safe method to gain space for the relief of crowding, to correct tooth-size discrepancies and to improve aesthetics and long-term stability in selected orthodontic patients.</p></abstract>

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the deliberate removal of part of the dental enamel from the interproximal contact areas, which decreases the mesiodistal width of a tooth. This enamel may be removed for various reasons, but most commonly to create space during orthodontic treatment or to correct tooth-size discrepancies. Several authors have also encouraged its use as a method by which post-orthodontic stability might be enhanced, particularly in the lower anterior region. With the increased use of removable aligners for orthodontic treatment in which non-extraction therapy is often advocated, the use of IPR becomes a valuable tool to relieve crowding without over-expanding the dental arches.It is possible that inaccurate IPR could result in the over-reduction of enamel, the creation of ledges and notches in the proximal surfaces, increased tooth sensitivity or damage to the surrounding soft tissues. However, carefully conducted IPR performed within the recommended guidelines may be used as a safe method to gain space for the relief of crowding, to correct tooth-size discrepancies and to improve aesthetics and long-term stability in selected orthodontic patients.

Interproximal reduction in orthodontics: why, where, how much to remove?

Australasian Orthodontic Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Interproximal reduction in orthodontics: why, where, how much to remove?"}

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the deliberate removal of part of the dental enamel from the interproximal contact areas, which decreases the mesiodistal...

Interproximal reduction in orthodontics: why, where, how much to remove?

Published Online: Jul 30, 2021

Page range: 150 - 157

Received: Apr 01, 2016

Accepted: Apr 01, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/aoj-2020-093

© 2017 Lydia Meredith et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.