Skip to content
There is often not enough space to straighten teeth that are crooked. Interproximal reduction (IPR) is a good solution for this.
Free appointment
IPR, also known as interproximal reduction, is a dental technique used to reduce the size of teeth before or during orthodontic treatment. You may also have heard of this procedure as tooth or dental stripping - another name often used.
Also read more about IPR at this objective site.
This method is especially useful in patients with moderate tooth misalignment. During IPR, the width of the teeth is reduced by about 0.2 to 0.5 millimeters. This allows the sides of the teeth to be made narrower, leading to more space and better tooth placement. The result? A more beautiful smile!
It is important to note that IPR is only performed on patients who need it. For some people with severe crowding, it may be necessary to have some teeth pulled to create enough space for proper alignment. But don't worry, this only happens when it is really necessary! In these cases, invisible braces are not usually the right choice either.
IPR has several orthodontic goals, but the most important is to make space by reducing the width of the teeth. This helps prevent extractions and ensures that the smile is in line with the natural structure of the teeth.
It is often not possible to straighten teeth (completely) without IPR. Not even if you have had straight teeth before. Or when you choose a different type of braces.
IPR is actually always painless, you hardly notice and see that something has been made space. Anesthesia is definitely not necessary.
IPR has several orthodontic goals, but the most important is to make space by reducing the width of the teeth. This helps prevent extractions and ensures that the smile is in line with the natural structure of the teeth.
It is often not possible to straighten teeth (completely) without IPR. Not even if you have had straight teeth before. Or when you choose a different type of braces.
IPR is actually always painless, you hardly notice and see that something has been made space. Anesthesia is definitely not necessary.
The main purpose of IPR is to free up space between the teeth so that orthodontic appliances such as braces or aligners can work effectively. In addition, the molars can be pushed slightly outward, so the dental arch will widen. This also allows more space in the front. In addition, a wide smile is more aesthetically pleasing.
If you suffer from mild crowding, IPR is a good choice because it is especially suitable for creating small openings needed to move teeth to their proper positions. With this procedure, you can keep all your teeth and do not have to have teeth pulled. So it is a win-win situation!
The main purpose of IPR is to free up space between the teeth so that orthodontic appliances such as braces or aligners can work effectively. In addition, the molars can be pushed slightly outward, so the dental arch will widen. This also allows more space in the front. In addition, a wide smile is more aesthetically pleasing.
If you suffer from mild crowding, IPR is a good choice because it is especially suitable for creating small openings needed to move teeth to their proper positions. With this procedure, you can keep all your teeth and do not have to have teeth pulled. So it is a win-win situation!
Interproximal reductions are also used to help remove black spaces that may appear after orthodontic treatment. Black spaces are the small triangles that sometimes appear between the teeth and gums. By reducing the width of the teeth, these spaces become smaller and less noticeable.
Interproximal reductions are also used to help remove black spaces that may appear after orthodontic treatment. Black spaces are the small triangles that sometimes appear between the teeth and gums. By reducing the width of the teeth, these spaces become smaller and less noticeable.
It is, of course, important to understand exactly what interproximal reduction entails. There especially what the advantages and possible disadvantages are. What will it change about your teeth? Here are some more pointers.
Before IPR is performed, the orthodontist must perform a series of evaluations to understand the condition of each individual tooth. Since not every tooth has the same level of enamel, the reduction should be done by about 0.25 millimeters. Then the dentist polishes all rough areas and fluoride will be applied.
Aesthetically, the tooth shape will not change. The reduction of about 0.25 millimeters is actually not noticeable. Nor will the width of the tooth visually change.
It is, of course, important to understand exactly what interproximal reduction entails. There especially what the advantages and possible disadvantages are. What will it change about your teeth? Here are some more pointers.
Before IPR is performed, the orthodontist must perform a series of evaluations to understand the condition of each individual tooth. Since not every tooth has the same level of enamel, the reduction should be done by about 0.25 millimeters. Then the dentist polishes all rough areas and fluoride will be applied.
Aesthetically, the tooth shape will not change. The reduction of about 0.25 millimeters is actually not noticeable. Nor will the width of the tooth visually change.
The dentist may need to perform IPR on certain teeth to achieve the best aesthetic result of your braces or aligners. This is a less invasive method than extraction, but it depends on the patient's individual needs and dental health characteristics. It can be a practical way to correct spatial problems in orthodontic treatment.
IPR is indicated to avoid the need for extraction before braces or aligners. Reducing the tooth by 0.X millimeter gives the orthodontist enough space to straighten the teeth. Extractions are usually used in cases with more complexity, severe crowding and to correct the bite (the way the molars fit together).
IPR is recommended only for patients who require little extra space in their dental arches. It is a common procedure in adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Regardless of the type of braces. So even with fixed (locking) braces, IPR sessions are usually part of the treatment.
As with any other dental procedure, interproximal reduction has some advantages and disadvantages. IPR is usually very efficient at resolving crowding. And if performed by a qualified professional, the procedure should not cause any major problems. However, if you go to a clinic and the dentist or orthodontist does not have the necessary knowledge, it can still be risky. An unqualified person may remove excess enamel and the patient may have problems in the future.
Treatments with clear aligners usually have primarily an aesthetic purpose. The way the molars fit together is not corrected.
Not always, but very often. Because otherwise teeth simply don't fit next to each other. Or even cannot move because they block each other from shifting.
Only a very thin layer of tooth enamel comes off. Maximum is 0.5 millimeters. And because the teeth straighten, you can brush and stick/floss better. Because of this, the disadvantages do outweigh the advantages.
Yes, of course. This is a reserved procedure, which can only be performed by dentists.
Usually the appointment is only short. You should think about an average of 15-20 minutes.
No, you don't actually notice anything from the treatment. An anesthetic is not necessary.
Treatments with clear aligners usually have primarily an aesthetic purpose. The way the molars fit together is not corrected.
Free appointmentNot always, but very often. Because otherwise teeth simply don't fit next to each other. Or even cannot move because they block each other from shifting.
Only a very thin layer of tooth enamel comes off. Maximum is 0.5 millimeters. And because the teeth straighten, you can brush and stick/floss better. Because of this, the disadvantages do outweigh the advantages.
Yes, of course. This is a reserved procedure, which can only be performed by dentists.
Usually the appointment is only short. You should think about an average of 15-20 minutes.
No, you don't actually notice anything from the treatment. An anesthetic is not necessary.
