Retention practices and factors affecting retainer choice among orthodontists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:To identify the retention protocols practiced by orthodontists in Saudi Arabia, and the factors affecting retainer choice.Methods:This cross-sectional study took place between February and March of 2015 at the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A previously tested electronic survey of 34 items was sent to all 1,200 orthodontic members of the Saudi Orthodontic Society. The questionnaire elicited data on the subjects’ demographics, orthodontic treatment practices, retention, and post-retention protocols.Results:One hundred and sixty-seven (13.9%) responses were received during the study period. The results showed predominant use of Hawley in the maxillary arch (61.3%), and fixed lingual in the mandibular arch (58.5%). Approximately 90.3% recommended full-time maxillary removable retainer wear. Overall, orthodontists who performed fewer extractions tended to use fixed retainers, and those who performed more extractions used removable retainers (p=0.018). Interproximal enamel reduction was used by 28% of the respondents as an adjunct procedure to enhance retention. Approximately 64% practiced a post-retention phase of retainer wear. Participants who used removable retainers most commonly prescribed lifetime retention.Conclusion:Hawley in the maxilla, and fixed lingual in the mandible were the most common retention protocols prescribed. Lifetime retention was the most common choice for participants who used removable retainers, especially when extractions were carried out.

A survey of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention

“…If the oral hygiene of a patient was poor and it could not be improved or a dental treatment was planned for the front teeth, the fixed retainer was removed. Similar results were obtained in other countries such as the Netherlands [ 4 ], Switzerland [ 9 ], UK [ 5 ], Ireland [ 6 ], USA [ 7 ], Malaysia [ 10 ], and Saudi Arabia [ 11 ] where orthodontists tended to leave fixed retainers indefinitely.…”

“…Nine postgraduate students were also included in the survey, thus demonstrating that their opinions as ones of future professionals are significant, although the inclusion of postgraduate students might not be that straightforward, because normally, they use the retention protocols of the clinical instructors and are not free to develop their own choice based on clinical experience. The response rate of 75.7% was relatively high compared with the surveys conducted in the other countries [ 3 – 11 ]. It showed that this study was relevant to the interests of the orthodontists.…”

“…Surveys performed in the other European countries [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 ], USA [ 7 ], Saudi Arabia [ 11 ], and Australia and New Zealand [ 3 ] showed that fixed retainers for a lower dental arch were dominant, except in Ireland [ 6 ] and Malaysia [ 10 ], where vacuum-formed retainers were the most popular choice. The opinions regarding an orthodontic retention in the upper dental arch were various: fixed retainers were most often chosen in Switzerland [ 9 ] and the Netherlands [ 4 ], Hawley retainers in the USA [ 7 ] and Saudi Arabia [ 11 ], and vacuum-formed retainers in the UK [ 5 ], Ireland [ 6 ], and Malaysia [ 10 ]. A combination of a fixed and removable retainer (a vacuum-formed retainer) was the most commonly used in Norway [ 8 ], and this was in agreement with our study; however, the orthodontists in Lithuania gave priority to the Hawley retainers.…”

“…Orthodontic materials and methods are constantly changing and manufacturers suggesting new alternatives. Despite the fact that a growing number of surveys of protocols and trends in orthodontic retention that have been conducted in different countries have revealed some tendencies between the orthodontists [ 3 – 11 ], further studies are needed for the development of a retention protocol. The common retention protocol is an attempt to systemize and standardize retention procedures which would be useful for orthodontists.…”

An assessment of job satisfaction: A cross-sectional study among orthodontists of Saudi Arabia

“…The low response rate may be attributed to their busy schedule in clinical settings, class workload, and other official engagements. The findings are consistent with those of Al-Jewair et al .,[ 27 ] who also reported a 13.9% response rate while studying retention practices and factors affecting retainer choice among orthodontists in Saudi Arabia. Martins et al .…”