title: Periodontal health of anterior teeth with two types of fixed retainers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P  =  .006) and ease of flossing (P < .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
authors.affiliation: a  Private practice, Ukiah, Calif.
authors.forename: Andrew I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.affiliation: b  Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: V Leroy
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Leggitt
authors.affiliation: c  Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Dentistry, Houston, Tex.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Angelov
authors.affiliation: d  Associate Professor, Departments of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: e  Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Practice; Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthodontics, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, Calif.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000145:classification; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers / Q000145:classification*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel
keywords: Fixed retainer; Periodontal health; Wave retainer