An Overview of Fixed and Removable Orthodontic Retainers

One of the main challenges in orthodontic treatment is relapse after treatment and return of the teeth to its original position. Therefore, retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment. Fixed and removable retainers are commonly used in orthodontic retention. They prevent relapse and require patientchr('39')s cooperation in using them. This review study aimed at comparing fixed and removable retainers in orthodontic treatment.

Search was conducted for articles published between 2000 and 2020 in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane using the following keywords: relapse, retention, bonded, fixed, removable, orthodontics, and retainers.  

In terms of success rate, fixed retainers were found to be more effective in preventing relapse than removable retainers. No significant difference was reported between the average times required for effectiveness of the retainers. Removable retainers caused less anxiety and speech disorders than fixed retainers. Difficulty in maintaining hygiene is a major problem of fixed retainers which leads to plaque accumulation and periodontal diseases. No study was found to compare these retainers in terms of survival and failure rates, although they were reviewed separately.

The choice of retainers depends on the type of orthodontic treatment, the patientchr('39')s condition, and the duration of its use.