Types of orthodontic retainers

Abstract

The search for admirable and harmonious dental aesthetics has made orthodontics one of the most sought-after specialties in today's society. However, for orthodontists one of the biggest challenges encountered is the stability of post-orthodontic treatment results. There are different types of containment, which are removable or fixed according to each individual's needs. In the lower arch, the vast majority of cases opt for a fixed retainer, due to the difficulty of adaptation and aesthetics, also favoring the misadjustment of the removable appliance due to the movement of the tongue. In the upper arch, removable retention (Hawley plate) is usually recommended as fixed retention may harm dental occlusion. There are several factors that can contribute to the current causes of recurrence following orthodontic post-treatments, therefore the use of retainers in their most varied forms has been extremely important in the finalization of cases, enabling greater success and stability of the treatment.