Abstract
Design
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was performed in a single orthodontic practice.
Intervention
The aim was to compare the clinical effectiveness of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers (VFR) over a 6-month period of retention. Three hundred and ninety-seven patients were treated by a specialist orthodontist and randomly allocated to wear either Hawley retainers (n=196) or VFR (n=201).
Outcome measure
A blinded examiner analysed the records of maxillary and mandibular dental casts at debond and at 6 months into retention, assessing tooth rotation mesial to the first permanent molar, intercanine and intermolar widths, and Little's Index of Irregularity.
Results
Three hundred and fifty-five individuals participated through to the conclusion of the trial, giving a completion rate of 89%. The results showed significantly greater changes in irregularity of the incisors in the Hawley group than in the VFR group at 6 months.
Conclusions
VRF are more effective than Hawley retainers at holding the correction of the maxillary and mandibular labial segments.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Littlewood SJ, Millett DT, Doubleday B, Bearn DR, Worthington HV . Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006; issue 1.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Address for correspondence: Jonathan Sandy, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK. E-mail: jonathan.sandy@bristol.ac.uk
Rowland H, Hichens L, Williams A, et al. The effectiveness of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers: a single-center randomised controlled trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007; 132: 730–737
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ledvinka, J. Vacuum-formed retainers more effective than Hawley retainers. Evid Based Dent 10, 47 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400650
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400650
