Abstract

Aim of the present study was to assess the relative distribution of occlusal forces after orthodontic treatment and during the first 3months of the retention phase using acomputerized occlusal analysis system (T-Scan, Tekscan Inc., Norwood, MA, USA). A total of 52patients were included in this prospective cohort study and underwent analysis of occlusal forces on the level of tooth, jaw-half, and -quadrant during a3-month period. Furthermore, differences between three retention protocols (groupI: removable appliances in both jaws; groupII: fixed 3-3 lingual retainers in both jaws; groupIII: removable appliance in the maxilla and fixed 3-3 lingual retainer in mandible) were assessed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests at 5%. Directly after debonding, measured forces distribution were similar to published references for untreated samples. In the following, no significant difference was found between retention protocolsII andIII with regard to the asymmetry of the anterior occlusal forces. Both groups maintained an asymmetric force distribution in the anterior segment during the study period. There was also no difference between groupsII andIII in the distribution of occlusal forces for the posterior segments. Both retention concepts kept the symmetrical distribution of occlusal forces stable over the observation period. The retention concept of groupI demonstrated asymmetrical distribution of occlusal forces in the anterior segment after debonding and this remained stable during the 3‑month period. In the posterior segment, no improvement of the initially asymmetric masticatory force distribution could be observed. All three studied retention protocols showed stability in retaining their original symmetrical or asymmetrical occlusal force distribution posteriorly/anteriorly during the 3‑month observation period. Therefore, an even distribution of occlusal forces should be the aim of the finishing phase, as no relative benefit of any single retention scheme in terms of post-debond improvement during the retention phase was seen.

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

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.