Development of professional recommendations on orthodontic retainers: short version

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Evidence-based practice

Background:

• Orthodontic retention is crucial for maintaining treatment results.
• Practices, devices, and follow-up for retention are heterogeneous.
• The French Society of Dentofacial Orthopedics (SFODF) identified a need for standardized guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop comprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for orthodontic retention.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for practitioners.
• To address the heterogeneity in current retention practices.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted.
• CPGs were drafted, graded by evidence level, and validated by expert workgroups.
• External expert review and final validation preceded publication.

Main Results:

• 53 out of 652 reviewed articles met inclusion criteria.
• The CPGs include 41 grade C items and 23 expert agreements, resulting in 40 guidelines.
• Consensus on material choice is lacking, and literature on appliance function is limited.

Conclusions:

• The CPGs offer recommendations on retainer selection factors, device effectiveness, failure modes, and adverse effects.
• Guidance is provided on appropriate follow-up procedures for orthodontic retainers.
• The guidelines aim to standardize and improve orthodontic retention practices.