Retainers in Orthodontics

Abstract

Once the orthodontic treatment is completed, we must ensure that the results obtained are maintained over time. The following work analyzes the different types of retainers, the advantages and disadvantages of each one, through the analysis of textbooks and articles obtained from the medical literature search engines PubMed and the Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library. There are two large groups of retainers, fixed and removable. For the upper jaw, the removable type is most frequently used, historically highlighting the Hawley plate. However, in recent years the use of thermoformed plates, which are simpler to make and have better aesthetic results, has been gaining ground. In the lower jaw, the use of fixed retentions from canine to canine predominates. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the most appropriate method may depend on multiple factors, such as patient preferences, expected cooperation, and the specific characteristics of the malocclusion treated. To date, there is no standardized protocol that determines the choice of one type of retention over another. This highlights the importance of individualization of retention treatment in orthodontics and, above all, the need to carry out long-term studies on the subject.