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Retainer
Retainer
Aslam Alkadhimi
Orthodontic relapse can be disheartening phase of orthodontic treatment following reorganization time varies according to fibre
for both patient and clinician alike; it is completion of the desired tooth movement, type and can take up to a year. During this
therefore common practice to provide focused solely on maintaining the finished period, retainers act to resist ‘physiological
retainers to maintain tooth position after treatment result and preventing relapse’.3 relapse’.
active orthodontic treatment. Relapse was Retainers can be either removable
defined by the British Standards Institute (BSI) or fixed. In practice a combination of the two 2. Prevention of unwanted tooth movement
in 1983 as ‘The return, following correction, is often utilized. Although many variations of resulting from growth changes
of the original features of the malocclusion’. A retainers are available, the Hawley retainer Prolonged retention of the lower labial
more contemporary definition states that ‘it is (HR) and the vacuum-formed retainer (VFR)/ segment, until the end of facial growth, may
unfavourable change(s) from the final tooth thermoplastic retainer are two of the most reduce the severity of future lower incisor
position at the end of orthodontic treatment’.1 commonly used removable retainers. crowding.6
This latter definition encompasses the notion This paper aims to explore
of positional changes of the dentition that the common types of fixed/removable 3. Reducing relapse tendency of teeth that
are seen to occur with advancing age.2 orthodontic retainers in depth and outline have been moved to an inherently unstable
Orthodontic retention can be defined as ‘the some of the common problems associated position
with retainers that can be encountered by the A ‘zone of equilibrium’ exists when the
Aslam Alkadhimi, BaBDentSc(Hons), MFD GDP. forces derived from the periodontal and
(RCSI), Orthodontic Specialist Registrar gingival tissues, the orofacial soft tissues, the
(email: aslam.alkadhimi.17@ucl.ac.uk) and occlusion and post-treatment facial growth
Mohammad Owaise Sharif, BDS(Hons), Rationale for retention
and development are in balance.7 If teeth
MSc, MOrth, RCS Ed, FDS(Ortho) RCS 1. Reorganization of periodontal apparatus are moved out of this zone, there will be a
Eng, FHEA, Clinical Lecturer/Honorary Reitan, in 1967 and Edwards, in 1988, tendency for relapse. This is often referred to
Consultant in Orthodontics, University demonstrated that reorganization of the as ‘true relapse’. Examples include increasing
College London, Eastman Dental Institute, gingival and periodontal tissues occurs intercanine width,8 significant alteration
London, UK. following orthodontic tooth movement.4,5 This of the archform,9 change in the intermolar
848 DentalUpdate October 2019
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Orthodontics
Hawlix ‘aesthetic’ Clear VFR UR3–UL3 or LR3-LL3 Combines the anterior aesthetic Could contribute to occlusal
retainer Ball end clasps between 6s and 7s advantage of the VFR and the disruption, such as the creation
0.7 mm palatal acrylic of the Hawley of anterior open bites or reduced
Palatal baseplate in the case of retainer overbites, attributable to the retainer
upper Hawlix It is particularly useful following having occlusal coverage only in the
treatment in cleft lip and palate anterior portion
patients in order to improve the
aesthetics of anterior maxillary
dento-alveolar cleft defects
Damon ‘splint’ Made from one of the following: Holds teeth and arches in Can only be worn at night-time
hard pressure-formed, dual corrected position Less widely used as very limited
hardness/soft liner, and elastic Retentive splint for Class clinical indications
silicone upper and lower splints II, Class III, bilateral crossbite
joined together with acrylic treatment and orthognathic cases
Assists in tongue training
Table 1. Different types of removable retainers showing the most common design features. All the wires described above are made from stainless steel.
a Advantages Disadvantages
It may reduce the risk of development May prevent settling of the occlusion
of late lower labial segment crowding
Can be fabricated indirectly in the lab Fixed retainers can fail without the patient
therefore reducing chairside time and realizing – this may result in unwanted tooth
complexity of fabrication movement
Table 4. Clinical effectiveness of different types of fixed and removable retainers and wear regimens from systematic and Cochrane reviews. RCT:
Randomized Controlled Trial; CCT: Controlled Clinical Trial; PAR: Peer Assessment Rating index.
selecting and prescribing an orthodontic Patient commitment to retainer wear patient, the orthodontist and general dental
retainer is cost-effectiveness. Regarding Currently there are no accepted guidelines practitioner. Close co-operation between all
the most widely used retainers in the UK, that specify a gold standard/universally the parties involved is required. Retention is
VFRs were found to be more cost-effective accepted retention regimen. However, the a complex issue and relapse is multifactorial
than Hawley.27 This was not only from the BOS encourages patients to adhere to life-long in nature. Retention regimens invariably
perspective of the patient (mean difference orthodontic retention in order to maintain tooth require considerable patient co-operation,
in cost per patient: £4) but particularly the alignment. It is generally accepted that patients which is usually forthcoming if the patient is
NHS (mean difference in cost per patient to should be encouraged to wear retainers, at fully informed, both before treatment and on
the NHS: £31) and the orthodontic practice least on a part-time basis, for as long as they placement of the retainers, and understands
(mean difference in cost per patient to the want the teeth to remain well aligned. Retainer the planned regimen as well as the need for it.
practice: £32).27 wear is the patient’s responsibility and this
Regarding the long-term burden should be emphasized. Furthermore, long-term
Compliance with Ethical Standards
of care, the British Orthodontic Society maintenance and repair of the retainers should
Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that
(BOS) accepts that asking patients to wear be sought and the patient should be made
they have no conflict of interest.
retainers indefinitely adds to the ‘burden aware of this commitment prior to starting
Informed Consent: Informed consent was
of care’. The patients, however, have to be treatment.
obtained from all individual participants
responsible for wearing and looking after included in the article.
the retainer, as well as getting it checked, Role of the GDP
repaired and replaced, which may have General dental practitioners are integral to
financial costs. It is therefore essential that the management of the orthodontic patient.
References
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Beautifil II Gingiva
• For the reproduction of gingival areas
• Indicated in cases of gingival recession, exposed
abutments and crown margins, root erosion and
missing papillae Gingiva & Enamel
• Shades can be layered and blended for aesthetic
solutions without the need for surgery
• Perfect for Class V restorations
Beautifil II Enamel
• For direct anterior restorations
• Polychromatic restorations thanks to chameleon
effect
• Cost-effective alternative to porcelain veneers
• Highly aesthetic restorations achievable by
layering and blending the shades
• Based on porcelain shade concept – for easy
shade matching