I.P.R. - Everything you need to know.

Greg D Updated by Greg D

This article will cover everything you need to know about IPR and its relation to your treatment.

What is IPR?

IPR stands for Interproximal Reduction and it is a process whereby a small metal tool is inserted between specific teeth in line with your prescribed treatment plan.

The purpose of IPR is to painlessly remove plaque and calculus build-up on your teeth which will result in additional space being created which is necessary for your teeth to align.

How long does IPR take?

Depending on the proximity of each tooth to its neighbour, IPR in total can take anywhere from 1 to 2 minutes.

The reason for this is because if one tooth is very close to another, it means that there will most likely be an additional layer of plaque and calculus between those teeth, which will need to be removed.

The process of removing both of these materials require an increased level of effort and time which may lead to 2 minutes maximum.

It's very important that these materials are removed as they can negatively affect the end results. Normally, we are specifically targeting the front 8 teeth and each of them will take around 10 seconds maximum remove the materials.

Is IPR uncomfortable?

Not at all! Our dentists compare IPR to flossing, completely comfortable.

How do you do it?

  1. Place the IPR tool between each target tooth and move it in an up and downward motion until it glides effortlessly.
  2. Now slide the IPR tool back and forth between the same tooth until again, it glides effortlessly.

Voila! All plaque and calculus build-up should now be removed, giving your teeth that extra space they need to align.

Again, the motion we're aiming for is like flossing, because we're focussing on the spaces in between each tooth and we need space mostly between the front 8 teeth in order to achieve the best results possible.

How often should you perform IPR?

IPR will be performed as required by your dentist.

Things to note:

  • The frequency of IPR required may change throughout your treatment.
  • IPR on each tooth will be performed until the tool slides effortlessly between the teeth.
  • After consistent use, an IPR tool may become blunt and need to be changed in order for our dentist to achieve your prescribed results.

It is very important that the dentists directions are followed at all times when discussing the topic of IPR, as this will affect your results.

If you're still unclear, then check out the video attached below for more information from one of our Smile Helpers! Don't forget to hit the like and subscribe buttons to keep up to date with all new tutorials and information from our team.

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