Assessment of interproximal enamel reduction planned by the digital set-up of a customized lingual orthodontic appliance: A comparison cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: Interproximal enamel reduction (IER), commonly known as stripping, is a frequently used technique in orthodontic treatment to address issues related to arch length discrepancies and tooth size discrepancies (TSD). The use of digital set-up allows for precise prediction of the amount of IER required. TSD occurs when the sizes of maxillary and mandibular teeth are not in proportion to each other. This study aims to evaluate and compare the suggested IER values generated by the digital set-up of a customized lingual orthodontic appliance in both upper and lower arches, across sextants, and among different teeth concerning TSD. Materials and methods: We analyzed suggested IER values from 809 cases. The statistical analysis was divided into two parts: part 1 focused on the number of stripped surfaces, and part 2 assessed the quantity of enamel removed. Comparisons were made between upper and lower arches, sextants, and teeth using the Friedman test, followed by pairwise Wilcoxon tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: The study found that mandibular and frontal stripping were more frequently suggested than maxillary and posterior stripping. Lower canines were the teeth most commonly recommended for stripping, followed by upper incisors. Conclusion: Within the scope and limits of this cohort study, we conclude that, in general, more IER is required in the mandible as compared to the maxilla. Particularly in the anterior sextants, IER might be necessary to achieve optimal alignment and occlusion.

Keywords

• Tooth size discrepancy (TSD)
• Interproximal enamel reduction
• Virtual digital planning
• Lingual orthodontic appliance