Abstract
Orthodontic and periodontal splints are prepared with round or flat metallic wires. As these devices cannot be used in patients with allergy to metals or with aesthetic demands, fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) retainers have been introduced. Stiffness of FRC materials could reduce physiologic tooth movement. In order to lower rigidity of conventional FRC retainers, a modified construction technique that provided a partial (spot) composite coverage of the fiber has been tested and compared with metallic splints and full-bonded FRCs. Flat (Bond-a-Braid, Reliance Orthodontic Products) and round (Penta-one 0155, Masel Orthodontics) stainless steel splints, conventional FRC splints, and experimental spot-bonded FRC retainers (Everstick Ortho, StickTech) were investigated. The strength to bend the retainers at 0.1 mm deflection and at maximum load was measured with a modified Frasaco model. No significant differences were reported among load values of stainless steel wires and experimental spot-bonded FRC retainers at 0.1 mm deflection. Higher strength values were recoded for conventional full-bonded FRCs. At maximum load no significant differences were reported between metallic splints (flat and round) and experimental spot-bonded FRCs, and no significant differences were reported between spot- and full-bonded FRC splints. These results encourage further tests in order to evaluate clinical applications of experimental spot-bonded FRC retainers.
Highlights
The retention of teeth in the upper and lower jaw is often required after orthodontic treatment or for periodontal reasons [1]
Post hoc test pointed out that, at 0.1 mm (Figure 2, groups 1 to 4) deflection, the lowest flexural strengths were recorded for stainless steel flat and round wires and for spot-bonded fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) retainers that showed no significant differences among them (P < 0.05)
At maximum load no significant differences were reported between metallic splints and experimental spot-bonded FRC retainers
Summary
The retention of teeth in the upper and lower jaw is often required after orthodontic treatment or for periodontal reasons [1]. Splints have been introduced initially as canine-to-canine metallic round retainers [2]. In order to prevent incisors undesirable movements, round and flat splints bonded to all anterior teeth were introduced [3]. Numerous types of fixed retainers have been described in literature with many sizes, diameters, and shapes [4]. These devices are very common but they cannot be used in patients that have to undergo nuclear magnetic resonance, as during the exam the metal could raise in temperature or interfere with image quality [5]. On the basis of these concerns, fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) retainers have been introduced for multiple clinical applications [8, 9]. FRC splints are metal-free and provide excellent aesthetical results [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
