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Orthodontics > Stability and Retention in Orthodontics > Flashcards

Stability and Retention in Orthodontics Flashcards

1
Q

What is retention

A

Retention is the phase after active orthodontic treatment when teeth need to be maintained in their new positions

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2
Q

What is the objective of retention

A

Minimise relapse

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3
Q

What is defined as relapse? (BSI and Patient Perspective)

A

BSI: The return, following correction, of features of the original malocclusion
Patient: Any change from the final tooth position at the end of treatment (could be caused by age) - UNPREDICTABLE

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4
Q

What factors determine the stability post ortho treatment

A
  1. Periodontal and gingival tissues (soft tissue)
  2. Musculature (soft tissue)
  3. Apical base (Arch widths and mandibular incisors)
  4. Occlusion
  5. Growth
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5
Q

How does orthodontic tooth movement affect the periodontal and gingival tissues

A

Causes widening of PDL spaces and disruption of collagen fibre bundles

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6
Q

How long does reorganisation of periodontal and gingival tissues take (important for stability)

A

Alveolar bone remodelling: 1 month
PDL reorganisation: 3-4 months
Gingival tissues takes longer
Collagen fibres: 4-6 months
Elastic Supracrestal fibres: can displace a tooth up to >1year after debond

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7
Q

How does musculature of the lips, cheek and tongue affect the stability post ortho?

How can this be reduced?

A

Can aid or hinder stability depending on the direction of tooth movement

Avoiding encroachment beyond the neutral zone

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8
Q

How does occlusion affect the stability post ortho

A
  1. Well-interdigitated teeth are more stable (poor evi)
  2. Stability of deep overbite correction associated with positive occlusal stop
  3. Stability of single tooth crossbite correction associated with adequate overbite (at least 2mm)
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9
Q

How does growth affect the stability post ortho?

A
  • Can cause recurrence of skeletal discrepancies –> deterioration of occlusal relationships
  • Small age changes throughout life can lead to late lower incisor crowding - Mandibular rotation or forward growth –> Increases force of lower lip onto lower incisors –> crowding
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10
Q

What type of skeletal discrepancy worsens with age

A

Class III: Man prognathia

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11
Q

Is third molars a cause of relapse or late lower incisor crowding?

A

NO

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12
Q

What are the implications of stability in terms of planning treatment

A
  1. Timing (during or after growth)
  2. Correct diagnosis, treatment plan and mechanics
  3. Eliminate etiology of malocclusion (esp. habits)
  4. Minimise changes in arch form (esp lower)
  5. Consider magnitude of tooth movement

Prevention: Ensure adequate space for eruption

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13
Q

What are the implications of stability in terms of executing treatment

A
  1. Correct tooth position early (rotation, extrusion)
  2. Position teeth within basal bone (inclination. position)
  3. Achieve good intercuspation
  4. Overcorrect occlusal relationships and tooth position (rotation) - generally not done
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14
Q

How long should retention be put in place for?

A
  • Adequate time for remodeling of periodontal and gingival tissues
  • Until growth completion
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15
Q

How to improve retention?

A
  • Permanent fixed/long-term retention
  • Adjunctive techniques prn eg. circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy (CSF) - for severely corrected teeth, frenectomy
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16
Q

What is a case with limited need for retention?

A

Single tooth crossbite with sufficient (at least 2mm) of overbite

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17
Q

What are some cases which are prone to relapse

A
  1. Rotations
  2. Considerable spacing due to small/missing teeth, median diastemas
  3. Movements involving significant expansion (buccal movement)
  4. Periodontically involved teeth
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18
Q

Why do rotation cases relapse

A

Elastic supra-crestal gingival fibres remodel slowly (>1year) and hence there is residual tension and 20# relapse

Hence fixed retainers should be considered

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19
Q

Why do large diastemas relapse

A

Failure of gingival elastic fibres to cross the midline
Aggravated by large or inferiorly attached labial frenum (moves apically till 12)

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20
Q

What is the difference between orthopedic (young) vs surgical maxillary skeletal expansion

A

Orthopedic: gradual and stable
Surgical: drastic expansion hence less stable

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21
Q

Why are cases involving movements involving excessive expansion prone to relapse

A

Maxillary skeletal expansion: Time for bone infill at the suture, elasticity of palatal soft tissue

Dental expansion: pressure from soft tissues + risk of moving teeth beyond alveolar bone

22
Q

Why are cases involving periodontally involved teeth prone to relapse

A
  • Loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth
  • Soft tissue balance altered (less opposed –> more likely to drift(
23
Q

What cases should have permanent or semi-permanent (1-2 years) retention?
5

A
  1. Severe rotation or labiolingual malposition
  2. Considerable or generalized spacing
  3. Anterior dental expansion including excessive incisor proclination
  4. Compromised periodontal support
  5. Impacted incisors and canines
24
Q

What are the two different types of removable retention appliances

A

Hawley type retainer (and its variations)
Vacuum formed retainer

25
How does a Hawley-type retainer prevent relapse of mild SK CII and III
Acts as a modified functional appliance Prevents deep bite by having a thickened acrylic as an anterior bite plate Can also be modified to have a twin block
26
Where does hawley-type retainers extend to
Lingual surfaces of second molars
27
What type of retainer should palatal expansion patients use
Palatal coverage retainers
28
What type of retention clasps are present on hawley retainers
Adam clasps on 6s, Circumferential clasps, Ball clasps Should not have occlusal interferences
29
What is a U-looped labial bow on Hawley-type retainers
Round SS 0.020-0.036 inch wire Contacts 6 anterior teeth or only 4 max ant teeth Improves fit and anterior retention
30
What is a circumferential Hawley-type retainer
When the U-looped labial bow crosses occlusally distal to the canine Keeper wires
31
What is a wraparound Hawley-type retainer
When the U-looped labial bow continues to contact buccal surface of posterior teeth
32
What is the benefit of circumferential retainer?
Minimises occlusal interference and holds extraction spaces closed (with a pontic) Occlusal rests present if needed to prevent supraeruption
33
What are the advantages of Hawley-type retainers 5
1. No coverage of occlusal surfaces: allows "setting-in of occlusion 2. Robust 3. Good for maintaining transverse dental expansion 4. Passive biteplate can be inorporated to maintain deep OB correction 5. Incorportate components to maintain growth correction
34
What are the disadvantages of Hawley-type retainers 3
1. More time consuming to fabricate 2. May not have a tight-fit around all teeth 3. Poor at retaining selected complex vertical movements
35
What are vacuum formed retainers
Plastic sheets of varying grades and varying thickness (0.5-3mm) and properties Trimmed to 2mm apical to gingival margin
36
What are the advantages of vacuum formed retainers 5
1. Aesthetic 2. Ease of fabrication 3. Economical 4. Less effect on speech 5. Protects teeth in grinders/clenchers
37
What are the disadvantages of vacuum formed retainers 2
1. Covers occlusal surfaces - may limit "setting of occlusion" 2. Poor at retaining selected complex vertical movements
38
What are types of fixed retainers
Rigid lingual bar: 3-3 attached only to canines 28-30mil steel attached by CR Multistrand wire retainer: Bonded to individual teeth Braided steel wire of 17.5mil diameter For severe rotations/labiolingual displacement
39
What are the variations in the designs for fixed retainers
Hygienic Design : for flossing Occlusal stops (CR): prevent bite deepening
40
Can fixed retainers be used with removable retainers
Yes
41
Are fixed retainers very rigid
No, they should be sufficiency flexible to allow physiological tooth movement
42
Should upper fixed retainers contact lower incisors
Minimised Increased debonding
43
What are the advantages of fixed retainers 3
1. Invisible from the front 2. Reduced need for patient compliance 3. Good for potentially unstable outcomes
44
What are the disadvantages of fixed retainers 4
1. Localised retention (usually only 3-3 unless premolars ectopic) 2. Wire distortion/fracture or debonding - unwanted dental movement --> close monitoring required 3. Complicates interproximal hygiene 4. Challenging to adjust or make chairside
45
What factors should be considered in retention
1. Appliance type 2. Compliance 3. Duration 4. Type and stability of correction 5. Initial malocclusion 6. Etiology of malocclusion 7. Age of patient 8. Any growth modification 9. How many teeth have been moved and how far 10. Speed of correction 11. Final tooth positions and occlusion 12. Periodontal support 13. Muscular pressure, Interproximal contact 14. Quality of result (any settling in of occlusion needed) 15. Oral hygiene 16. Patient expectations 17. Patient preference
46
How long should retention be kept for
No consensus, longer is better AT LEAST 12 months Full-time for minimally the first 3-4 months (some recommend 6 months) Subsequently can reduce to part--time If there is significant residual growth: Part-time until growth completion Exception: cases with high chance of relapse may benefit from permanent retention
47
Removable retainer delivery checks
Vacuum formed: No gap between appliance and tooth No impingement on soft tissue (blanching Hawley-type retainer: Acrylic and wires should adapt closely to teeth No soft-tissue impingement Extend occlusally by approximately half the palatal/lingual surfaces Check interference Loose/tighten adams clasp and labial bow
48
Fixed retainer delivery checks
Check passive adaptation of wire Ensure no Occlusion Sandblast ends of retainer bar Secure retainer with floss
49
What are the generic guidelines for retention regime
First retention visit 1 month post debond Subsequent appointment intervals: 3 --> 6 months F/U for at least a year then optional annual reviews
50
What are some retainer care instructions?
- Remove when eating/drinking, brushing/flossing, playing contact sports or swimming - Brush teeth before wearing retainers - Kept in case - Kept away from heat and pets - Breakage/problems with retainers/ loss of retainers to inform provider ASAP - How to insert and remove - Duration - Retainer hygiene - How to floss/clean interdentally for fixed retainers - How to monitor for debonding/fracture/distortion - Compliance with retainer reviews

Orthodontics (18 decks)

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