IPR Tips for Aligners 📸

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Ensuring Proper IPR Timing and Contact Alignment in Clear Aligner Treatment

In clear aligner treatment, performing interproximal reduction (IPR) at the correct stage is crucial to achieving optimal results. This article discusses a case where IPR was scheduled before the teeth were fully derotated, and it provides a recommended approach to ensure even reduction.

Issue: Premature IPR Before Full Derotation

In this case, a patient was scheduled for IPR at aligner 30. However, at this stage, the contacts between the teeth were not yet fully derotated. Performing IPR in this situation can result in uneven reduction, with excessive enamel removal from certain areas:

  • More IPR on the lingual aspect of the lateral incisor

  • More IPR on the buccal aspect of the central incisor

This uneven reduction may lead to suboptimal contact alignment and compromised final results.

Solution: Requesting Proper Contact Alignment Before IPR

To address this issue, clinicians can request that the aligner technicians ensure the contacts are fully available and derotated before IPR is performed at aligner 30. The request should include:

  • Ensuring contacts are fully aligned and accessible for IPR at the specified aligner stage.

  • Ensuring gingival margins are even (if relevant to the case).

Using ClinCheck’s Photo Feature for Clear Communication

A useful tool for communicating such requests is the ClinCheck software’s screen capture feature. This allows clinicians to:

  1. Capture an image of the specific view where the misalignment is observed.

  2. Adjust the view as needed to highlight the areas of concern.

  3. Take additional photos if necessary and include comments for clarity.

This feature is particularly helpful when written instructions alone may not fully convey the issue to the technicians. By providing visual references, clinicians can ensure that their requests are understood and implemented correctly.

Conclusion

Proper sequencing of IPR is essential to achieving optimal aligner treatment outcomes. By ensuring that teeth are fully derotated before IPR and utilizing ClinCheck’s photo feature for precise communication, clinicians can enhance treatment efficiency and effectiveness.