Prevalence of interproximal tooth reduction prescribed as part of initial Invisalign^® treatment in 10 orthodontic practices

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is a therapeutic procedure used during orthodontic treatment and is apparently a commonly incorporated feature in the treatment planning of aligner cases.

The present study investigated the prescription of IPR in the 50 most recently accepted initial aligner treatment plans for each of 10 orthodontic practices. The number of plans incorporating IPR, as well as the magnitude and location of the prescribed IPR, were assessed.

The results showed that IPR was heavily prescribed, with an average of 71% of the 500 reviewed plans receiving IPR as part of that plan. When IPR was prescribed, the amount averaged 2.16 mm per case over 6.92 contact points. The lower anterior teeth had the most heavily prescribed IPR associated with the number of interproximal contacts and the respective amount, while the upper anterior teeth had the least heavily prescribed IPR.