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Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
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Inadvertent tooth movement with fixed lingual retainers.
Timothy G Shaughnessy1, William R Proffit2, Said A Samara3
1Private practice, Marietta and Suwanee, Ga, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Summary
Fixed retainers help maintain tooth alignment but can cause unintended tooth movement, potentially requiring retreatment. Awareness and regular dental check-ups are crucial for patients with fixed retainers.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Fixed retainers are widely used to maintain anterior teeth alignment post-orthodontic treatment.
- While effective in over 90% of cases, potential complications can arise.
Observation:
- Problems occur when retainers break, remain partially bonded, or become distorted.
- These issues can lead to unintended tooth movement, primarily torque, even with intact or stiffer wire retainers.
Findings:
- The type of wire and bonding strategy influences the risk of inadvertent tooth movement.
- Highly flexible twist wires bonded to all teeth may increase risk, while dead soft wires are prone to fracture.
Implications:
- Orthodontists, general dentists, and patients must be aware of fixed retainer complications.
- Regular professional monitoring is essential to detect partial debonding or distortion early, preventing the need for retreatment.
