Orthodontics is one of the branches of dentistry that has evolved the most in recent decades, with major changes in the perceptions of patients, but also of professionals, who see how the treatment alternatives are becoming increasingly wider and more aesthetic for patients. patients in Murcia and the whole world.
One of the most notable changes is undoubtedly the fact that fewer and fewer dental extractions are being carried out to align teeth, partly because techniques have evolved, but also because paradigms have changed in such a way that the aim is to 'fill' the smile of those patients who decide to undergo orthodontic treatment in order to achieve maximum aesthetics.
In this sense, one of the most frequent actions is interproximal wear, also known as IPR (InterProximal Reduction) or stripping, which consists of 'filing' patients' teeth between their contact points, in order to generate additional space in certain areas to leave a more stable occlusion at the end.
This technique, first described by Sheridan JJ in 1985, consists of grinding the areas where the teeth come into contact with each other, using systems with top quality diamond burs, achieving countless advantages:
- Generate space for aligning teeth, achieving stable occlusion through proper meshing, in cases of Bolton discrepancies.
- Wider contact areas than usual, reducing the presence of 'black triangles' between teeth that can worsen aesthetics.
- Adequate contact points that prevent food retention between teeth and reduce the risk of caries due to acid production.
How much enamel can be safely polished?
According to studies, up to 50% of enamel can be safely removed from a contact surface, which is on average 2.5mm at the incisor level and 6.4mm at the molar and posterior level.
- The orthodontist studies the case, determines the size of the teeth, and the amount of wear that can and should be performed on each of them.
- Soft tissue protection with wooden wedges, rubber dams, or Wedjet dams
- Interproximal enamel removal by diamond polishing strips, EVA systems or honeycomb discs
- Measurement, with sterilisable precision gauges, of the wear and tear to ensure the highest possible accuracy.
- Application of topical fluoride to ensure correct positioning of the newly exposed enamel, which will be fully protected.
Therefore, we can conclude that stripping is a common technique in modern orthodontics, beneficial at the occlusal level, but also from the point of view of reducing the possibility of the development of interproximal caries. In any case, it is important to have an opinion from an experienced orthodontist who will make an accurate diagnosis of the case in order to make the best possible decision for you.