Interproximal Reduction: Better Safe than Sorry

Premolar extractions were the standard treatment to correct protrusions, crowding, and sagittal compensations. With bonding and changes of esthetic patterns, interproximal reduction (IPR) became an alternative resource. Even though IPR can be used as a substitute for extractions, 2 diagnostic factors are needed to define if teeth should be decreased in diameter: Bolton discrepancy and dental proportions. Even though, removal of dental tissue is an irreversible decision, IPR seems to be swaying as a trend. Aligners have stimulated the use of IPR to promote tooth movement, decrease mechanical complexity and reduce collision zones. But adequate diagnosis seems to be disregarded by automated systems, due to needs for tooth movement facilitation. The purpose of this presentation will be to show clinical parameters in which IPR is indicated for adequate treatment and finishing, discuss the best and conservative methods for enamel grinding and to illustrate when IPR is absolutely inadvisable.