Department of Orthodontics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2010 Feb;137(2):170-7; discussion 177. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2008.03.023.
The purpose of this descriptive study was to use a carefully constructed, pilot-tested survey instrument to identify the most common orthodontic retainers and retention protocols prescribed in the United States as reported by active members of the American Association of Orthodontists.
We randomly selected 2000 active members, stratified by region of practice, for the study. Information gathered included, but was not limited to, the types of retainers prescribed in the maxillary and mandibular arches, duration of full-time and part-time wear, use of fixed retainers, appliances fabricated in office vs commercial laboratories, the number of debonds per year, and retention appointment schedules. The survey consisted of 20 questions. Data were gathered on a categorical scale and analyzed.
We received 658 responses (32.9%) during a 12-week period. Maxillary Hawley retainers (58.2%) and mandibular fixed lingual retainers (40.2%) were the most commonly used. Most orthodontists prescribed less than 9 months of full-time wear of removable retainers and thereafter advised part-time, but lifetime wear. Most orthodontists (75.9%) did not instruct patients to have the fixed lingual retainers removed at a specific time. More orthodontists who prescribed Hawley retainers recommended longer full-time wear compared with clear thermoplastic retainers. The timing of scheduled retention appointments varied among clinicians and depended on the number of years in practice, the volume of patients debonded, and the type of prescribed retainer. The only regional difference associated with retainer design was the Northeast region, where mandibular fixed lingual retainers were used less frequently. Female orthodontists did not use mandibular fixed lingual retainers as often as their male counterparts.
Maxillary Hawley and mandibular fixed lingual retainers are most commonly used. This study is the first to describe retention protocols and the scheduling of retention appointments in the United States.
本描述性研究的目的是使用精心构建且经过试点测试的调查工具，确定美国正畸医师协会的活跃成员所报告的美国最常使用的正畸保持器和保持方案。
我们随机选择了 2000 名活跃成员进行研究，按执业区域分层。收集的信息包括但不限于上颌和下颌弓中规定的保持器类型、全天和部分时间佩戴的持续时间、固定保持器的使用、在办公室和商业实验室制造的器具、每年的脱粘次数以及保持预约时间表。该调查由 20 个问题组成。数据以分类形式收集并进行分析。
在 12 周的时间内，我们收到了 658 份回复（32.9%）。最常用的是上颌 Hawley 保持器（58.2%）和下颌固定舌侧保持器（40.2%）。大多数正畸医生规定可摘保持器的全天佩戴时间少于 9 个月，之后建议部分时间佩戴，但终身佩戴。大多数正畸医生（75.9%）没有指示患者在特定时间取下固定舌侧保持器。与透明热塑保持器相比，规定 Hawley 保持器的正畸医生建议更长时间的全天佩戴。保留预约时间的安排因临床医生而异，取决于执业年限、脱粘患者数量以及规定保持器的类型。唯一与保持器设计相关的区域差异是东北地区，那里使用下颌固定舌侧保持器的频率较低。女性正畸医生不像男性同行那样经常使用下颌固定舌侧保持器。
上颌 Hawley 和下颌固定舌侧保持器最常使用。本研究首次描述了美国的保持方案和保留预约时间安排。
