A patient with fixed braces needs a small amount of space between two lower incisors. The contact is marked in the treatment plan, but one tooth still overlaps the other. The orthodontist can see the incisal edge of the contact, yet the strip would approach the enamel at an angle. At this appointment, the decision is whether the contact is ready for reduction.
Interproximal reduction (IPR) creates space by removing a planned amount of enamel between adjacent teeth. Reciprocating diamond strips are one option when that space is needed at a contact the clinician can see and reach. With fixed braces, the usefulness of the instrument depends on contact access, strip selection and how the finished enamel is assessed.
Why timing matters when brackets are already in place
At a lower incisor contact, overlap can hide part of the proximal surface, and the available enamel tends to be thinner than on posterior teeth. At a premolar contact, visibility and room for the handpiece head may be the bigger challenges. An archwire that obstructs the strip’s approach calls for a different decision from a tooth that is still rotated or overlapping. Temporarily disengaging the wire may improve access in the first situation. Further alignment may be needed in the second.
Livas and colleagues documented this timing decision in a fixed-braces case. Their clinical photographs show crowded lower incisors before treatment, followed by improved access to the contacts after a short period of alignment. The clinicians then performed IPR using a hand strip and diamond discs. The case illustrates a familiar chairside judgment: an indication for IPR can be established before the contact is accessible enough to treat. For more on how space requirements and tooth-size discrepancies influence treatment planning, see when IPR is indicated for lower teeth crowding.
How the MR.BUR strips and Kaneiko handpiece work together
The MR.BUR IPR strips and Kaneiko 4:1 reciprocating contra-angle handpiece set combines the MR.BUR IPR Strip System 1.0 with the Kaneiko Model IPR. The handpiece connects to a compatible E-type air motor or electric micromotor. It converts rotary input into back-and-forth motion, supplying the repeated strokes while the clinician guides the strip along the intended contact. The set includes an operating guide and a strip-removal accessory.
| MR.BUR strip | Diamond grit | Listed size |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Super fine, 15 µm | 0.10 mm |
| Red | Fine, 30 µm | 0.20 mm |
| Blue | Medium, 46 µm | 0.30 mm |
| Green | Coarse, 90 µm | 0.40 mm |
The strip options help match the instrument to the contact. A thinner, finer strip may suit an accessible contact that requires only modest reduction. A thicker or coarser option may be appropriate when there is adequate clearance and more reduction is planned. Because all four strips are double-sided, both abrasive faces can engage enamel. If the plan calls for reduction on just one tooth, choose an instrument or technique that protects the adjacent surface. When choosing an instrument for a different contact, see our comparison of diamond strips and rotary IPR burs.
What a 0.20 mm strip tells you at the chair
Suppose a premolar contact already has a 0.05 mm gap, and the treatment plan calls for 0.20 mm of additional space. If the gauge reads 0.20 mm after reduction, the contact has gained 0.15 mm. The red strip’s 0.20 mm marking describes the instrument. The difference between the initial and final gauge readings describes the change at the contact.
How the gauge fits matters as much as the number on it. Researchers evaluating IPR accuracy noted that forcing a gauge into a tight contact can temporarily displace teeth through periodontal ligament compression. If the gauge fits only under pressure, reassess the reading before deciding whether more enamel needs to be removed.
Why the enamel still needs a finishing check
A contact can have the planned space and still have a groove or sharp transition on the proximal surface. In a laboratory study on 30 extracted teeth, a complete oscillating sequence that included polishing left a smoother surface on average than a single metallic strip. The researchers used another commercial system. The finding supports a practical distinction for this kit as well: assess the contour after reduction, then refine and polish where indicated.
For fixed-braces cases, the Kaneiko 4:1 handpiece is useful when the clinician has a clear path to the planned contact and wants powered strip movement. The MR.BUR IPR diamond strip is selected for the access and enamel surfaces involved. At the end of treatment at that contact, the gauge and the surface inspection answer two different questions: how much space was gained, and what contour was left behind?
Diamond Burs, Carbide Burs, Surgical & Lab Use Burs, Endodontic burs, IPR Kit, Crown Cutting Kit, Gingivectomy Kit, Root Planning Kit, Orthodontic Kit, Composite Polishers, High Speed Burs, Low Speed Burs
