COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT ORTHODONTIC RETENTION PROTOCOLS ON STABILITY OF TREATMENT OUTCOME: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Orthodontic retention protocols play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of treatment outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of different orthodontic retention protocols in preserving treatment results.

Materials and Methods: A total of 90 post-orthodontic patients were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A (Hawley retainers), Group B (Essix retainers), and Group C (Bonded lingual retainers). Each group consisted of 30 patients. Retention duration was set at 12 months. Initial alignment and occlusion were assessed, and measurements were recorded before retention (T0), at 6 months (T1), and at 12 months (T2) after retention. Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and paired t-tests.

Results: At T0, there were no significant differences in alignment and occlusion among the three groups. At T1 and T2, Group C (Bonded lingual retainers) demonstrated the highest maintenance of alignment and occlusion, with mean changes of 0.15 mm and 0.30 mm, respectively. Group A (Hawley retainers) showed moderate stability, with mean changes of 0.25 mm and 0.45 mm at T1 and T2, respectively. Group B (Essix retainers) exhibited the least stability, with mean changes of 0.40 mm and 0.65 mm at T1 and T2, respectively.

Conclusion: The retention protocol involving bonded lingual retainers (Group C) exhibited superior efficacy in maintaining post-orthodontic treatment outcomes compared to Hawley retainers (Group A) and Essix retainers (Group B).