Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Sachin Sinha
drsachinsinha@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: To evaluate postorthodontic tooth movement with and without retention. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients participated in the study. At the end of active treatment (T1), final archwires were removed while leaving the fixed appliances on, and alginate impressions were taken. Four weeks later (T2) a second set of impressions was taken. A clinical examination performed at T2 determined if the fixed appliances could be removed or if additional treatment was required.  Results: Mandibular crowding, overjet, and interproximal contacts worsened for the entire sample, while marginal ridges, occlusal contacts, and total American Board of Orthodontics scores improved. No statistically significant changes were found within group I from T1 to T2. Mandibular crowding, overbite, overjet, alignment/rotations, and interproximal contacts worsened within group II from T1 to T2, while marginal ridges and occlusal contacts improved. Significant differences were noted between the groups in terms of alignment/rotations, interproximal contacts, and mandibular inter canine width. Conclusion: Postorthodontic tooth movement without retainers demonstrated improvement in specific characteristics of the occlusion but negatively affected alignment and interproximal contacts in the sample. Stability of the maxillary anterior alignment 5 years posttreatment did not appear to be influenced by choice of retention protocol. Mandibular anterior alignment was significantly better for the group using a fixed retainer compared with the group where the retainer was removed 3 years posttreatment.

Keywords: Stability, Retention, Relapse, Alignment.