A prospective randomized controlled trial on the comparative clinical efficiency and hygiene of a ceramic inter locking retainer and a flexible spiral wire bonded retainer.

BACKGROUND

The lower canine to canine retainer is one of the most commonly used retention appliance.

OBJECTIVE

Compare and assess the clinical efficiency and oral hygiene maintenance with 2 retainers: flexible spiral wire and ceramic interlocking bonded.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

Orthodontic department of a dental college.

PARTICIPANTS, STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial that involved 40 patients who had completed orthodontic treatment and were randomly allotted to either group: flexible spiral wire (FSW) or ceramic interlocking retainers. Allocation ratio was 1:1.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Completed fixed orthodontic treatment with an acceptable treatment result.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Oral hygiene was assessed at 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months intervals after debonding using Gingival and Plaque index. The contact point displacement was assessed using 3D model superimposition and bonded retainer failure was noted.

RANDOMIZATION AND BLINDING

Computer-generated random allocation, only data analyzer was blinded.

STATISTICS

Data normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk and Q-Q plot. Mixed model analysis was used to assess differences between the two groups for the above-mentioned parameters. The failure rate of the retainer was calculated by the Chi-Square test.

RESULTS

Only the plaque index score was significantly greater in the FSW group and showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), rest of the parameters showed no statistically significant difference over the specified time points, although a mild increase in relapse was noted in both groups No serious harms were reported.

CONCLUSION

Both retainers seem to be effective in maintaining the treatment results however the FSW seems to accumulate more plaque over a given period of time thereby mandating proper hygiene maintenance and follow-up.