There are many uses of interproximal reduction in orthodontics. There are also many different names. Some of the names include:

• Interproximal Reduction (IPR)
• Stripping
• Polishing or Interproximal Polishing
• Filing

IPR can be used to assist with the resolution of crowding or to assist with balancing a tooth mass discrepancy. IPR can also be used to reduce dark triangles (exposed gingival embrasures) that occur when previously overlapped teeth are aligned and there is bone loss between the teeth. By creating the space the teeth can be moved closer together so as to reduce the width of the dark triangle.

Patients can become fearful when they hear, “polishing between the teeth.” This short film highlighting IPR illustrates just how easy it is. In many instances it takes just a few seconds in order to complete the IPR between two teeth.