Quantitative and qualitative assessment of enamel surface alterations induced by three different interproximal...

Interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) is commonly used in orthodontics to address tooth-size discrepancies, but enamel removal is irreversible and may compromise surface integrity. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative enamel surface alterations induced by three IPR systems: mechanical oscillating strips, diamond burs, and manual coarse strips. Thirty extracted human premolars were randomly assigned to three groups and subjected to IPR using different methods. Enamel thickness and surface roughness (Ra) were measured before and after IPR and surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. This study advances knowledge by providing a comparative analysis of IPR systems, aiding clinicians in selecting the most effective and biologically conservative technique for orthodontic treatment.