Orthodontic retention protocols—A survey among Indian practitioners

Abstract

The study was to identify the different types of retainers that are commonly used and to investigate the variations in retention practices among orthodontists in India. A web-based survey study and was conducted in Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics. This survey was conducted for a period of 10 months and included orthodontists practicing in India. The questionnaire comprised of 53 questions which were divided in seven parts containing multiple choice questions, tabular and free response questions. These seven parts gathered information about socio-demographic status of the respondent, selection of retention system, removable and fixed retainer choices, duration and supervision of retention period and instruction given to patients. Dual retention, fixed retainers with vacuum formed retainers was the common type of retention in both arches with extraction largely influencing the choice of retainer. The bonded wire from canine to canine is the most frequent fixed retainer in non-extraction cases and from premolar to premolar is most frequent retainer in extraction cases. Frenectomy and supracrestal fibrotomy is used as adjuvant applications for retention. retentionfixed retainerforfor A trend towards frequent use of vacuum formed retainer by young orthodontists compared to removable acrylic retainer is seen with dual retention being most commonly used.