Factors affecting orthodontists' management of the retention phase.
OBJECTIVE
To test the null hypothesis that orthodontist characteristics and factors related to retainer choice do not influence the management of the retention phase with regard to frequency and duration of follow-up care provided.


METHODS
Orthodontists (n  =  1000) were randomly selected to participate in an online survey divided into three categories: background, retainer choice, and time management.


RESULTS
Of the 1000 selected participants, 894 responded. When deciding the type of retainer to use, the following were considered most frequently: pretreatment malocclusion (91%), patient compliance (87%), patient oral hygiene (84%), and patients' desires (81%). Orthodontists who considered the presence of third molars (P  =  .03) or "special needs" patients (P  =  .02) had significantly more follow-up visits than those who did not. When vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) were prescribed, there were significantly fewer visits (P  =  .02) compared to when other types of retainers were used. As practitioner experience increased, so did the number of visits (P < .0001). Orthodontists who considered the primary responsibility of retention to fall on the patient had significantly fewer follow-up visits (P < .0001) than those who considered it either a joint or orthodontist-only responsibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The null hypothesis was rejected because the number of follow-up visits during the retention phase was affected by practitioner experience, whether VFRs were used, whether the orthodontist considered the presence of third molars or special-needs patients when choosing the type of retainer, and to whom the orthodontist attributed responsibility during the retention phase.
a  Resident, Department of Orthodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.
Kevin
K
Bibona
Bhavna
B
Shroff
Al M
AM
Best
Steven J
SJ
Lindauer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003657:Decision Making; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers; D009970:Orthodontics; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010358:Patient Participation; D011364:Professional Practice; D017748:Time Management