From Volume 4, Issue 4, October 2011 | Pages 112-117
Fixed retainers are a popular method of maintaining incisor position following orthodontic treatment. This paper reviews the complications reported with fixed retainers and reports a case in which suspected activation in a multistrand bonded retainer had caused severe unwanted movement of two teeth in the upper labial segment.
Retention of orthodontic treatment is an important aspect to consider when treating any orthodontic patient. Relapse is defined as movement of teeth into any position other than that achieved after orthodontic movement.1
There are different ways to achieve retention after orthodontic tooth movement. The choice of retention type depends on several factors, such as:
Two types of orthodontic retention method exist. The first method involves utilizing occlusion in maintaining teeth in their final position, eg the use of a positive overbite in retaining teeth after correction of crossbite cases. The second method involves the use of appliances, either removable or fixed, in order to maintain the teeth in their final position.
Fixed or bonded retainers are usually used in the labial segment. They are long-term retainers used for cases in which the teeth are moved into an unstable position and likely to relapse, such as:
Fixed retainers offer several advantages over removable retainers with patient compliance being the most important.2 Another advantage is aesthetics, as removable retainers (except for the vacuum-formed retainers) usually have a visible wire running on the labial surfaces of the anterior segment. Comfort is another factor as no bulky acrylic-containing device is needed.
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