IPR- What is it? 

There are two ways to make space for orthodontic movements, either extraction of teeth or IPR ( Inter-proximal stripping)

With clear aligners, IPR, is a good way to obtain space without the need for extractions.

Some of the online direct-to-consumer brands that were around did not utilise this and subsequently many patients ended up with inadequate results, especially concerning their bite. The only way to make space without the above is to move everything outwards…. but this does not take into the whole mouth and how the bite comes together. We have seen some terrible outcomes from this.

There are 2 ways to do IPR– mechanical/ hand stripping.

The slowest but most predictable way is hand stripping, it is like polishing between the teeth and usually 0.15 to 0.3 micro mm of enamel is removed, not much at all.

It can feel uncomfortable but it is not painful and you don’t need an anesthetic for it usually.

The other way is to use a mechanical drill/ polisher.

So small increments are taken from the tooth bit by bit and often over a few sessions so that the teeth can then slide and move over each other without getting ‘stuck’

Hope this blog was useful. Comment below if you are interested in any other topics and we will cover it!