Patient perceptions and attitudes regarding post-orthodontic treatment changes

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Research
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Posttreatment changes are common after orthodontic treatment.
• Patient awareness and perception of these changes are crucial for long-term satisfaction.
• Retainer type may influence awareness and perception of posttreatment changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient perceptions and attitudes regarding posttreatment changes.
• To evaluate awareness of relapse at least two years after orthodontic treatment completion.
• To understand patient satisfaction with occlusion and desire for retreatment.

Main Methods:

• 125 patients (aged 22.93 ± 2.98 years) were assessed ≥2 years post-debonding.
• Digital comparison of tooth positions (debonding vs. ≥2 years post-debonding).
• Questionnaire assessing retainer usage, relapse awareness, satisfaction, and retreatment desire.

Main Results:

• All patients exhibited some posttreatment irregularity.
• Awareness of changes was higher for upper arch (both retainer groups) and with 1-3mm mandibular irregularity.
• Majority satisfied with results (VFR: 69.4%, BR: 76.5%), regardless of minor changes.

Conclusions:

• A significant percentage of patients are unaware of posttreatment changes, particularly those using bonded retainers (BRs).
• Patient satisfaction with occlusion persists even with minor posttreatment changes.
• Dissatisfaction with changes does not equate to a desire for retreatment.