Orthodontist and periodontist’s knowledge, attitudes and aspects of clinical practice, regarding fi xed lower orthodontic retainers

Ruth Suzanne Maximo da COSTA, Silvia Amélia Scudeler VEDOVELLO, Vivian Fernandes FURLETTI-GÓES, William CUSTODIO, Giovana Cherubini VENEZIAN

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and aspects of the clinical practice of orthodontists and periodontists, regarding lower fixed orthodontic retainers. Methods: The orthodontists (n=502) and periodontists (n=269) who participated in this cross-sectional observational study received, via e-mail, questions related to the type of lower fixed retainer, dental biofilm accumulation, oral hygiene, and poten- tial periodontal changes. The data were subjected to chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, at 5% significance level. Results: Both orthodontists (72.3%) and periodontists (58.7%) reported that hygienic retainers accumulate more dental biofilm (p < 0.05), and 64.1% of orthodontists and 58.7% of periodontists considered that modified retainers may lead to periodontal changes (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the dental specialties, regarding the type of lower fixed retainer considered the easiest for the patient to perform hygiene (p > 0.05), whereas 48.6% of professionals chose the modified type. Conclusion: The modified retainer accumulates a greater amount of dental biofilm and, in the perception of orthodontists and periodontists, it may cause periodontal changes.

Keywords: Orthodontic retainers. Orthodontics. Periodontics. Dental biofilm. Knowledge.

How to cite: Costa RSM, Vedovello SAS, Furletti-Góes VF, Custodio W, Venezian GC. Orthodontist and periodontist’s knowledge, attitudes and aspects of clinical practice, regarding fixed lower orthodontic retainers. Dental Press J Orthod. 2021;26(4):e2119276. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.4.e2119276.oar

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