A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention

Abstract

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to evaluate retention procedures and protocols which are used by the orthodontists in Lithuania and to identify commonly used types of dental retainers.MethodsOne hundred seven questionnaires in total with 28 multiple-choice questions were sent to all members of the Lithuanian Orthodontic Society. The questionnaire was organized into eight sections representing specific information about socio-demographic status of the respondents, selection of a retention system, details of commonly used fixed and removable retainers, the duration of the retention period, supervision of the retainers, instructions for patients, and necessity of common retention guidelines.ResultsThe overall response rate was 75.7%. All of the respondents prescribed retainers after the orthodontic therapy. More than 40% of the respondents combined fixed and removable retainers in different clinical situations, but the first-choice option after an expansion of the maxillary dental arch was the removable retainer (54.3%); meanwhile, a fixed retainer was used after a correction of any rotations of the mandibular anterior teeth (49.4%). The Hawley retainer was preferred by 90.1% of the respondents for a maxillary dental arch, and 74.1% of them preferred it for a mandibular dental arch. The most preferable fixed retainer was the retainer bonded to all six anterior teeth (in the upper dental arch—by 71.6%; in the lower one—by 80.2%). There was no consensus on the duration of a retention period. Most of the orthodontists checked up retainers three times during the first year (fixed ones—by 42.0%; removable ones—by 30.0%) and once per year after the 1-year retention period (fixed ones—by 44.4%; removable ones—by 40.7%). All orthodontists gave instructions for taking care of an orthodontic retainer. It was observed that the orthodontists with less than 10 years of experience used a protocol based on the skills learned during their postgraduate studies, while orthodontists with more than 10 years of experience used retention procedures based on their orthodontic work practice (p < 0.05).ConclusionsA combination of fixed and removable retainers was the most often used in an orthodontic retention. Evidence-based guidelines are desired for a common retention protocol.

Orthodontic retention protocol among Kurdistan Region of Iraq orthodontists

“…On the other hand, financial support, third molar and gender were merely taken into account. This is compatible with Wong P and Freer TJ 9 , Vandevska-Radunovic et al 6 and Andriekute et al 5 , but is contrast with Rowland H et al 10 , Bibona K et al 11 and Lai CS et al 6 Regarding role of third molar in selection of retainer, only 14.28% of orthodontist consider it for choosing retainer, however the presence of third molars was only taken into account by less than 10% of Dutch, 3 American, 12 Irish, 13 and Swiss orthodontists. 6 It seems most of orthodontist believe that third molar has no important role in re-crowding after orthodontic treatment.…”

“…While Hawley retainers in the USA 12 and Saudi Arabia 14 and vacuum-formed retainers in the UK, 15 Ireland 13 and Malaysia 16 were most popular. Also, combination of a fixed and removable retainer (vacuum-formed retainer) was the most common recommended type of retainer in Lithuania 5 and Norway. 8 Lifetime retention is reinforced by many literatures representing that some degree of relapse possible even many years after of orthodontic treatment.…”

“…Orthodontic retainers are prescribed to be worn after orthodontic treatment to hold teeth in their new corrected position. 5 However, there is no same opinion between the orthodontists regarding the requisite for any retention protocol, selecting the type of retainer or decision about how long retainers should be worn by patient following orthodontic treatment. Wide range of variations in retention strategies, various materials for retention or individual patient factors can make decision about choosing retention protocols more difficult.…”

“…Wide range of variations in retention strategies, various materials for retention or individual patient factors can make decision about choosing retention protocols more difficult. 5 Yet, clinical data about preferred retention protocols is inadequate; therefore, the aim of this survey on retention protocols among orthodontists in Kurdistan Region -Iraq, was to identify the common retention procedures and evaluate the results with similar studies conducted in different countries.…”

Post-Orthodontic Lower Incisors Recessions: Combined Periodontic and Orthodontic Approach

“…Long-term stability is one of the main challenges of orthodontic treatment [1,2]. Several protocols were suggested to maintain the alignment of mandibular canines and incisors at the end of the active phase of orthodontic treatment [3,4]. The protocol of choice for most orthodontists is the bonded lingual retainer (BLR) (reported by 83% of the orthodontists asked) [5], since it is invisible, independent of patient cooperation and is aimed at lifelong retention.…”