EFFECTS OF LINGUAL RETAINERS ON PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND STABILITY

Orthodontic retention aims to maintain the teeth in their corrected positions after the completion of orthodontic tooth movement. Teeth have a tendency to return towards their initial positions due to tension in periodontal fibres particularly those around the necks of the teeth (interdental and dento-gingival fibres). Due to remodeling of the periodontal fibers the first 8 month post orthodontic treatment are crucial.Therefore bonded retainers have become increasingly popular to prevent unwanted relapse and enhance stability. Longer-term retrospective studies of the effects on periodontal health have shown that significant deterioration in any periodontal or dental health parameter was not found even though there is increase in accumulation of dental plaque and calculus in subject with bonded retainer 15 years after treatment In recent years however unexpected complications like tooth movement torque changes and inclinations have also been described during orthodontic retention with fixed lingual retainers.Hence the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different lingual retainers on periodontal health and stability.