Calibrated IPR improves predictability of clear aligners

Jeremy Booth, Dental Tribune International

Mon. 13. December 2021

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NEW YORK, U.S.: The number of dental practices that offer clear aligner treatment is increasing, and so too is the need for interproximal reduction (IPR) as a technique to reshape enamel in order to achieve sufficient space to keep the tooth movements within the biological limitations of the patient’s jaws. According to Dr. Jesper Hatt, co-founder of clear aligner treatment planning, training and education platform Alignerservice.com, IPR can often be used as an alternative to tooth extractions, but the technique is not without its challenges.

Dr. Hatt told Dental Tribune International (DTI) that IPR can help to gain space during orthodontic treatment and to prevent teeth from moving out of the bone. However, “the risk of using IPR is cutting away too much enamel and exposing the dentin,” Dr. Hatt said, adding that this can lead to a higher risk of caries, wear and hypersensitivity. “We know the width of the enamel is the thinnest in the mandibular incisors, having a mean value of about 0.6 mm. Using any kind of uncalibrated device to cut away the interproximal enamel and shape the teeth will carry a major risk of exposing the dentin,” he explained.

Dr. Jesper Hatt is an international speaker, teacher and coach, and co-founder of clear aligner treatment planning, training and education platform Alignerservice.com. (Image: Jesper Hatt)

When asked about the greatest challenges relating to IPR, Dr. Hatt said that, although IPR is planned meticulously in software such as Invisalign ClinCheck or ClearCorrect, there are few tools that enable clinicians to follow the computer-designed plan in a fast and predictable manner. “So, we tend to do all kinds of workarounds in order to kind of get the desired result,” he said, “and this often results in challenges with the final occlusion, posterior open bites, sensitive teeth and increased risk of caries.”

As an international speaker, teacher and coach, Dr. Hatt helps clinicians succeed with clear aligner treatment in private practice. He is hosting a free webinar on Dec. 20 that will aim to help dentists improve the predictability of clear aligner therapy using a safe, fast and efficient IPR protocol. He told DTI that every dentist performing clear aligner treatments in their practice should attend.

In the webinar, Dr. Hatt will introduce what he says is a calibrated, faster and much easier protocol for IPR, employing Dentatus’s IPR tips. The learning objectives will be improved predictability of clear aligner treatments; the ability to recognize when to stop and reconsider the treatment plan; an understanding of the biological considerations regarding extractions, round tripping and IPR; and the ability to conduct safer and faster IPR.

Dr. Hatt is presenting his webinar, titled “Calibrated IPR—guesswork not required,” live on Monday, Dec. 20, at 1 p.m. EST. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and to earn a continuing education credit by taking a quiz upon completion of the webinar.

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