Stability of Maxillary Anterior Teeth After Two Years of Retention in Adolescents - A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Bonded and a Vacuum-formed Retainer

Studies have shown that esthetics, no doubt, is the major motivating factor for orthodontic treatment both in adults and adolescents.Orthodontic relapses are usually described as changes toward the pretreatment status. These changes occur very fast if the teeth are not kept in their new position. That is the reason why, after orthodontic treatment, the result must be stabilized by some kind of retention device to prevent relapse. However, after this first period of remodeling of periodontal structures, comes the later period of changes.

Relapse in aesthetic zone (Anterior teeth), is the major reason why patients are dissatisfied with the results and seek for retreatment. There is a gap in our knowledge which kind of retention device is more effective to stabilize achieved alignment after orthodontic treatment.

This randomized clinical trial, tries to answer to that question. The investigators shall compare three different retention devices and measure changes after 2 years when retention devices have been in place and later compare the long-term results when the retainers have been removed after 2 years of retention (future study 5 years ptstretention).

Randomization Three months before the estimated removal of the fixed appliances, the patients will be invited to take part in the trial. After gaining informed consent from the patient and their custodians, the patients are randomly allocated to one of the three retention groups as follow: A) bonded retainer 13-23, B) bonded retainer 12-22 and C) removable vacuum-formed retainer (VFR) covering the maxillary teeth including the second molars. The randomization process is prepared by an independent person and carried out by three staff members not involved in the trial. The randomization uses blocks of 30. The randomization notes is delivered in a sealed opaque envelope each. Every new participant picked an envelope and reveal the group assignment by opening the envelope. Recruitment is ongoing until the total number of participants meet the estimated sample size.