EFFICACY OF TEMPORARY FIXED RETENTION FOLLOWING ...
EFFICACY OF TEMPORARY FIXED RETENTION FOLLOWING ...
EFFICACY OF TEMPORARY FIXED RETENTION FOLLOWING ...
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4. The most stable position of the lower incisor is its pretreatment position.<br />
Advancing the lower incisors is unstable and should be considered as<br />
seriously compromising lower anterior posttreatment stability.<br />
5. Fiberotomy is an effective means of reducing rotational relapse.<br />
6. Lower incisor reproximation enhances posttreatment stability.<br />
Significance of Research<br />
Many orthodontists use fixed retention appliances following orthodontic<br />
treatment as a means of maintaining treatment results. These appliances<br />
incorporate the use of either a braided or solid, round stainless steel wire bonded<br />
to the lingual surfaces of the maxillary central incisors or mandibular canines.<br />
The purpose of this appliance is to provide a retentive appliance that will allow<br />
for semi-rigid fixation of the anterior segment of the dentition without having to<br />
rely on patient compliance.<br />
Evidence supporting the need for fixed retention is conflicting. Studies<br />
conducted at the University of Washington by Little and coworkers (1981 and<br />
1988) concluded that: long-term stability following mandibular anterior<br />
alignment was unpredictable; anterior crowding continued during the 10 and 20<br />
year recall period; future stability of cases was unpredictable; and the majority of<br />
patients displayed unsatisfactory incisor alignment following retention. Thus, it<br />
is the contention of Little that fixed retention is the only way to maintain longterm<br />
post-orthodontic stability. However, Andrews (1972, p 307) stated that,<br />
“Lower teeth need not be retained after maturity and extraction of the third<br />
molars, except in cases where it was not possible to honor the musculature<br />
during the treatment and those cases in which abnormal environmental or<br />
hereditary factors exist.” Furthermore, Boley (2007) concluded that, based on his<br />
review of the literature, stability is a reasonable and predictable goal following<br />
orthodontic treatment as long as certain parameters are met.<br />
Some practitioners advocate fixed retention only for a temporary period of<br />
time following treatment, such as 2 to 3 years. This notion is supported by the<br />
research of Al Yami et al. (1999) who evaluated the dental casts of 1,016 patients<br />
for long-term stability of orthodontic treatment using the Peer Assessment<br />
Rating index. About half of the total relapse took place in the first two years<br />
following retention, and all aspects of occlusion relapsed gradually over time but<br />
became stable after 5 years with the exception of the mandibular incisors. The<br />
presence of fixed retention had a significant impact on relapse at 5 and 10 years<br />
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