Aim of the Study: To determine whether allowing the patient to choose the type of retainer affects the success of retention in terms of stability and patient satisfaction. Hypothesis: Allowing the patient to choose their retainer can increase the success of retention. Design: Two-arm parallel group randomized controlled clinical trial
This study investigates whether allowing patients to choose the type of retainer-fixed or removable-affects the success of orthodontic retention in terms of stability and patient satisfaction. The hypothesis is that patient autonomy in selecting their retainer type can enhance retention success. Conducted as a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial, the study involves patients who have completed fixed appliance treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group, where they choose their retainer type after being informed of the pros and cons, or the control group, where the clinician decides the retainer type. The primary outcome of the study is the stability of the orthodontic treatment, with secondary outcomes including retainer survival, oral health, and patient satisfaction. Stability is measured using indices such as Little's irregularity index, inter-canine width, and overjet, among others. Oral health is evaluated based on caries presence, sulcus depth, and gingival bleeding. Retainer survival is monitored by incidents of losing or breaking the retainer. Patient satisfaction is assessed through a detailed questionnaire covering aspects such as retainer usage, comfort, and perceived value. Due to the nature of the intervention, blinding is not possible for operators, participants, or assessors. This study aims to provide insights into how patient choice influences the outcomes of orthodontic retention, potentially guiding future clinical practices towards enhanced patient satisfaction and treatment success. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the impact of patient autonomy on orthodontic retention outcomes. By comparing patient-chosen and clinician-chosen retainer types, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of factors contributing to successful orthodontic retention and overall patient satisfaction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
128
A clear plastic removable retainer.
A fixed retainer placed on the lingual side of the teeth.
Irmak Ocak
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Stability
Stability will be assessed using Little's Irregularity Index at baseline and 24 months post-treatment. The index measures the alignment of anterior teeth, with scores ranging from 0 (perfect alignment) to 10 (severe misalignment). Lower scores indicate better outcomes.
Time frame: 2 years
Retainer survival
The survival rate of retainers will be monitored over a 24-month period. This includes the number of participants who retain their original retainer without breakage or loss. Retainer survival will be categorized into "retained," "broken," and "lost."
Time frame: 2 years
Oral health
Oral health will be assessed at baseline and 24 months post-treatment using clinical examinations for caries presence (will be evaluated by inspection, will be stated as a number), gingival bleeding (measured by the Gingival Bleeding Index), and sulcus depth (measured in millimeters using a periodontal probe). Lower scores for gingival bleeding and sulcus depth indicate better oral health.
Time frame: 2 years
Patient satisfaction
Patient satisfaction will be measured using a questionnaire. 8 questions in the questionnaire are yes or no questions. Other 3 questions are 5-point Likert questions.
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.