Abstract
Background: Maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment and keeping the teeth in the corrected position is a great challenge in orthodontics. This study aimed to compare the survival time of three types of retainers including Hawley, 1-mm Vacuum-Formed (VF), and 1.5-mm VF within 6-month period. Methods: In this randomized clinical study, 152 patients were allocated into three groups to receive one type of the retainers. They were visited 1, 3, and 6 months after retainer delivery and checked for breakage, loss, local perforation, and discoloration from the patient's and clinician's point of view as indicators of failure. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used as appropriated. Result: The results revealed that breakage was among the main reasons of failure of retainers within 6 months, which was statistically significantly different between Hawley and VF retainers, as well as between 1-mm and 1.5-mm VF retainers in the three intervals (p<0.05). Concerning the loss of retainer and discoloration from the clinician's point of view, there was no significant difference between the retainers in any interval (p>0.05). Assessing the discoloration from the patient's point of view revealed statistically significant differences between Hawley and VF retainers within the first month; however, the difference was not significant at the third and sixth months (p<0.05). The difference between the two thicknesses of VF retainer was not significant in any interval (p>0.05). By the end of the sixth month, some of the VF retainers had perforation; while, perforation was not observed in Hawley retainers.Conclusion: Considering the higher breakage rate of 1-mm VF, 1.5-mm VF seems the retainer if choice.Key words: survival time; retainer; Hawley retainer; Vacuum-formed retainer;
Highlights
The success of treatment in orthodontics is determined by facial esthetics, occlusion, and stability.[1]. Maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment and keeping the teeth in the corrected position is a great challenge in orthodintics
Several attempts to find the best strategy of stabilizing the teeth in the new position after orthodontic treatment and to prevent relapse have resulted in introduction of various fixed and removable retainers.[3]. Among the removable retainers, Hawley, Vacuum-Formed, Begg, and Positioner are more frequently used than others
The patients were sex-matched, there was no statistically significant difference between the two sexes regarding the distribution of retainers (p= 0.885)
Summary
The success of treatment in orthodontics is determined by facial esthetics, occlusion, and stability.[1]. Attempting to overcome the esthetic problem of Hawley retainers, Sheridane and colleagues introduced Essix appliances or Vacuum-Formed (VF) retainers, in 1993, as a replacement for the conventional retainers These transparent retainers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to several reasons such as ease of fabrication, improved esthetic, and lower cost.[7,8] The patients mostly prefer the nearly-invisible VF retainers. Methods: In this randomized clinical study, 152 patients were allocated into three groups to receive one type of the retainers They were visited 1, 3, and 6 months after retainer delivery and checked for breakage, loss, local perforation, and discoloration from the patient's and clinician's point of view as indicators of failure. Conclusion: Considering the higher breakage rate of 1-mm VF, 1.5-mm VF seems the retainer if choice
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