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Comparison between round multi-strand wire and rectangular wire bonded retainers: a randomized clinical trial
Emad F Al-Maaitah1, Sawsan Alomari1, Kazem Al-Nimri1
1Jordan University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Orthodontics (Irbid/Jordan).
Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
|May 24, 2023
Summary
This study found no significant differences in gingival health or failure rates between round multi-strand wire and Ortho-Flex-Tech™ rectangular wire retainers. Ortho-Flex-Tech™ showed a slight advantage in maintaining tooth alignment.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Materials Science
Background:
- Post-orthodontic treatment stability is crucial for maintaining dental alignment.
- Bonded lingual retainers are commonly used to prevent relapse.
- Different retainer designs may influence gingival health and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the gingival health outcomes between round multi-strand wire and Ortho-Flex-Tech™ rectangular wire retainers.
- To assess plaque and calculus accumulation associated with each retainer type.
- To evaluate the effectiveness in maintaining tooth alignment and the failure rates of both retainer designs.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial involving 60 patients requiring mandibular anterior retention.
- Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a round multi-strand wire retainer or an Ortho-Flex-Tech™ retainer, bonded from canine to canine.
- Gingival health, plaque/calculus indices, alignment stability, and failure rates were assessed after one year. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests.
Main Results:
- Data from 46 patients were analyzed; no significant differences in gingival health parameters were observed between the groups (p>0.05).
- Ortho-Flex-Tech™ retainers demonstrated superior maintenance of mandibular anterior tooth alignment compared to multi-strand wire retainers (p<0.05).
- No statistically significant difference was found in the failure rates between the two retainer types (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Both round multi-strand wire and Ortho-Flex-Tech™ retainers showed comparable gingival health outcomes and failure rates.
- Ortho-Flex-Tech™ retainers were more effective in preserving mandibular incisor alignment, although the clinical significance of this difference requires further evaluation.
- The choice of retainer may prioritize alignment stability over gingival health concerns, as both parameters were acceptable.
