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Retention--retainers may be forever
1Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Summary
Orthodontic tooth movement requires post-treatment retention to maintain results. However, current research shows no reliable method exists to predict long-term dental stability, even with retention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Dental Biomaterials
Background:
- Orthodontic treatment aims for stable, long-term tooth positioning.
- Historically, various retention methods have been developed to preserve orthodontic outcomes.
- Ensuring post-treatment stability remains a significant challenge in clinical orthodontics.
Observation:
- The term "retain" signifies the act of holding something securely.
- Numerous approaches have been devised since the inception of orthodontic tooth movement to achieve stability.
- Despite extensive research, a definitive solution for ensuring long-term post-treatment stability has not been identified.
Findings:
- The most rigorous scientific evidence indicates that no universally effective solution has been found to guarantee post-treatment orthodontic stability.
- A consistent post-treatment routine is advised for all patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- The dental profession currently lacks reliable methods for predicting future dental stability, irrespective of orthodontic intervention.
Implications:
- Patients must be informed about the limitations in predicting dental stability.
- A standardized post-treatment routine should be communicated to patients.
- Further research is needed to develop predictable methods for assessing long-term orthodontic stability.