Swiss Dent J. 2014;124(6):655-61.
Lai CS(1), Grossen JM, Renkema AM, Bronkhorst E, Fudalej PS, Katsaros C.
Author information:
(1) Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
OBJECTIVE: To survey retention procedures used in orthodontic practices in Switzerland.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire previously developed by Renkema et al.
(2009) was sent to 223 Swiss orthodontists. The questionnaire comprised six
parts, mainly containing multiple-choice questions. Information as to background
education of the individual orthodontist, retention in general, frequency of
different types of removable or bonded retainers that were used, retention pro-
tocol, and the type and size of the wire used for bonded retainers was assessed.
RESULTS: The overall response rate was 65 percent. Most orthodontists placed a
bonded retainer in the upper and lower arch, except when the upper arch was
expanded during treatment or when extractions were performed in the upper arch,
in which case they placed a combination of fixed and removable retainers.
Opinions varied with regard to how many hours the removable retainers should be
worn and the duration of the retention phase. As far as bonded retainers were
concerned, 87 percent of the orthodontists preferred life-long retention.
Ninety-three percent of the orthodontists considered that the development of a
guide- line on retention procedures would be useful.
CONCLUSIONS: The choice of retention procedures is mostly based on orthodontists
personal preference. A further research into the long-term effectiveness of
individual retention protocols is needed.
PMID: 24943474 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
