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Retention: taking a more active role

British Dental Journal volume 230, pages 731–738 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Retention may be particularly challenging after the correction of specific malocclusion features, such as tooth rotations, open bite and expansion, which are all inherently unstable. In this article, some indications for active retention are reviewed by highlighting a variety of clinical techniques and appliances. Active retention is discussed in relation to preservation of tooth alignment and in the three planes of space: sagittal, vertical and transverse. In some situations, an active retention regimen may be helpful to minimise or counteract relapse after orthodontic treatment and to improve patient satisfaction during the typically lengthy post-treatment period.

Key points

  • Clinicians are encouraged to anticipate relapse tendencies and consider the use of proactive retention strategies.

  • Proactive or reactive retentive strategies may be applied to address alignment and the three planes of space.

  • Retainers may also be adjusted for use in special circumstances, such as the replacement of missing teeth.

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Acknowledgements

Sepideh Torkan and Fiona Firth contributed equally to this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Health Sciences Centre, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Sepideh Torkan & Greg J. Huang

  2. Discipline of Orthodontics, Department of Oral Sciences and Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, New Zealand

    Fiona Firth & Mauro Farella

  3. Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

    Padhraig S. Fleming

  4. Private Practice of Orthodontics in South Riding, Virginia, USA

    Neal D. Kravitz

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  1. Sepideh Torkan
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  2. Fiona Firth
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Correspondence to Fiona Firth.

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Cite this article

Torkan, S., Firth, F., Fleming, P. et al. Retention: taking a more active role. Br Dent J 230, 731–738 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-2952-9

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