At L&L Orthodontics we want to give you your best smile! We use different techniques to help achieve your smile goals. One such technique is interproximal reduction, or IPR for short. This allows the Orthodontist to create space to correct dental crowding, as well as minimising the appearance of dental black triangles. It can also create a key role in improving dental symmetry and improving the functionality of your bite! Let us delve into the importance of IPR, explore the concept of dental black triangles, and discover the methods we employ to achieve optimal results.
Understanding Interproximal reduction (IPR):
IPR is a technique used in orthodontic treatment to correct orthodontic crowding and create space for teeth to align. The process involves carefully removing a small portion of dental enamel from the sides of adjacent teeth. By carefully and strategically reshaping the enamel, Orthodontists can achieve better interdental relationships, improved tooth positioning, and a more ideal bite.
The prospect of IPR can be daunting if you have never heard about it, but rest assured, the degree of IPR is carefully measured and carried out meticulously by our Orthodontists and Oral Heath Therapists. It is carefully pre-planned using advanced computer digital planning of your dentition.
The Importance of IPR in Orthodontic Treatment:
- Achieving Ideal Alignment
By creating sufficient space, teeth can be gently guided into their proper positions with braces or clear aligners, resulting in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing smile. IPR allows Orthodontists to address crowding, overlapping, or rotated teeth more effectively, leading to improved dental function and oral health.
- Enhancing Stability
When teeth are properly aligned and have sufficient space between them, orthodontic treatment outcomes are more stable and long-lasting. IPR helps reduce the risk of relapse by ensuring that teeth remain in their corrected positions. This stability contributes to the overall success of orthodontic treatment, providing patients with a lasting smile. Just remember however to keep wearing your orthodontic retainers!
- Black Triangles and hygiene
Dental black triangles, also known as gingival embrasure spaces, refer to triangular shaped gaps that can appear between teeth, particularly at the gum line. They form through gum recession, or as a result from more curved/triangular shaped teeth being aligned with each other, leaving a triangular space towards the gum line. IPR plays a pivotal role in minimizing the occurrence of dental black triangles and achieving better dental aesthetics. By carefully reshaping the enamel on adjacent teeth, Orthodontists can create adequate contact points between teeth.
Methods of Enamel Reproximation: Hand strips and Diamond Discs
Orthodontists and Oral Health Therapists often use fine hand strips and fine diamond discs to perform IPR. These thin, flexible tools allow for precise and controlled enamel polishing. Small amounts of enamel are removed between to contact points of the teeth resulting in adequate space for tooth alignment
IPR is an invaluable technique in orthodontic treatment at L&L Orthodontics, allowing our Orthodontists to create beautiful smiles while addressing dental black triangles. By carefully reshaping the enamel, we provide you with a stable, healthy and aesthetic smile that you will be proud to show for years to come.
To consult with one of our orthodontists about your smile, contact our reception on 9846 3811, or click here to send a booking inquiry.
