How To Simplify Interproximal Reduction

Interproximal Reduction (IPR) is a relatively common procedure in various orthodontic repairs, but it may not sound that common to most people outside the dental industry. In fact, you may have never even heard of IPR at all before, until your dentist or orthodontist recommends the procedure to you. Carolina’s Dental Choice wants to answer your most pressing questions: What is IPR? Why is it a necessary procedure for so many people? What are the possible risks and benefits to treating your smile with IPR?

What is Interproximal Reduction (IPR)?

Sometimes, the way to achieve your new, healthy smile is to undergo this minimally invasive procedure that narrows your teeth by removing some of the outer surface of a tooth. The outer tooth surface, the enamel, is typically removed from between where your teeth are touching each other. This procedure is called Interproximal Reduction, or IPR, and it is an indispensable treatment in dental work which treats a range of issues.

Also referred to as slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction, or reproximation, this IPR goes by a number of names; each referring to the same procedure of reducing enamel and acquiring more space for your teeth. This dental procedure has been used since the 1940’s and will improve your smile by reducing your tooth’s width for form, function, and stability.

When is Interproximal Reduction needed?

IPR is most typically an alternative to tooth extraction but it can treat a range of issues. Reducing enamel can improve teeth stability, bring your teeth into alignment, improve your bite, or simply make your teeth more attractive. The treatment is particularly popular for adult patients undergoing bracers, or aligner therapy, such as the Invasalign treatment. Other uses for the procedure include:

·         To help upright teeth: IPR can be performed on your upper and lower incisors to close spaces between the teeth and help pull teeth into a more regular alignment.

·         To relieve crowding: IPR can aid in the process of teeth alignment during an orthodontic treatment. Reducing the enamel creates extra space for the orthodontist to move or rotate teeth.

·         To reshape teeth: Teeth termed “black triangles” are teeth wider at their incisal aspect. They create small spaces at the base of contact in incisors. IPR essentially sands down the teeth to form a longer, tighter fit.

How does Interproximal Reduction work?

In general, the IPR procedure can be performed one of two ways: the enamel can be removed manually from the teeth with coated abrasive strips worked back and forth between the teeth, or it can be removed with the aid of a specially-designed dental hand drill using a spinning diamond disk. In a few simple steps, IPR will create extra space by slenderizing and shaping your teeth.

1.      Your dentist will identify which teeth need reduced enamel.

2.      Enamel is carefully removed from the sides of the teeth that are in contact with neighboring teeth, leaving each tooth with sufficient enamel to remain healthy and stable.

3.      Teeth are contoured to the desired shape.

4.      After the enamel reduction, the dentist can now use the needed space between the teeth to achieve the right positioning, the bite will be improved, and the teeth will appear more slender, attractive, and uniform.

For patients receiving interproximal reduction as part of their orthodontic treatment, the steps are slightly different.

1.      First, your orthodontist would first remove wires from the braces.

2.      Once the wires are removed, the teeth are contoured to create more space between overlapping teeth.

3.      After interproximal reduction, the teeth now have room to align correctly and complete the orthodontic treatment. Following braces, IPR ensures a more pleasing smile, an improved bite, and a better chance that your teeth will stay in place.

Following IPR, your teeth are smoothed and polished to ensure a bright, beautiful smile.

Common questions and concerns regarding Interproximal Reduction: 

Does the procedure hurt?

Although having your teeth scraped away at might sound painful, IPR actually causes no discomfort to its patients. If the procedure is done by hand, you will feel the tug of the diamond strip between your teeth, and if done by dental drill, you will experience the vibration of the drill.  Both procedures are shaving away at enamel, which is on the outer layer of the tooth and has no nerve endings. No dental anesthetic should be required.

Will my teeth be more sensitive?

Depending on your teeth, interproximal reduction has made patients on occasion experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. It should be noted though, that IPR is only performed on certain teeth and not all of your teeth, and it is unlikely for you experience sensitivity side effects.

Are my teeth more prone to decay if the enamel is removed?

Interproximal reduction has not been shown to make teeth more susceptible to tooth decay. However, your dentist might recommend a topical fluoride rinse to help teeth maintain their resistance to decay.

Will it damage my gums?

Your gum health is certainly a primary concern to your dentist, but the procedure does not affect your gums.

Should I be worried about the amount of enamel on my teeth after IPR?

Interproximal Reduction only shaves off a layer of enamel, and never the full thickness of the enamel to keep your teeth healthy. In situations where a tooth has lost its entire enamel, it will be decided between you and your dentist whether IPR is the right treatment for you. IPR performed on teeth with a significant lack of enamel could result in thermal sensitivity and potential for increased decay.

How can Komet USA’s DISCtance simplify IPR?

The latest technology in Interproximal Reduction is the DISCtance IPR system from Komet USA. The DISCstance IPR kit uses .15mm thick, fine-grit IPR diamond discs, coated on both sides, which simplifies the removal of enamel from your teeth. This technology is still very new and is still being experimented with. While Carolina’s Dental Choice does not use this method, we can guarantee that the IPR you receive with us will be performed with our tried and true procedure.

How will my dental physician know whether or not I need Interproximal Reduction?

For each patient, there are a number of factors to consider. The size and shape of your teeth, their position and alignment, and facial features all contribute to the success of IPR. IPR can sometimes be a standalone procedure but it most often occurs in combination with another dental treatment, such as teeth extraction, or to stabilize and re-shape teeth post orthodontic treatments.

It’s important that you choose someone you can trust for decisions affecting your smile. If IPR has been recommended as a solution to you, or if you would like to speak to dental professionals well experienced in IPR procedures, contact Carolina’s Dental Choice today. Schedule an appointment with us today. We cannot wait to help you perfect your smile.