Objective: To assess periodontal status in long-term orthodontic retention patients and investigate possible risk indicators.
Materials and methods: Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recessions (GR) and calculus were recorded in 211 patients with or without fixed retainers.
Results: Periodontal parameters were within the limits of clinically healthy periodontium. The use of fixed retainers was associated with higher PI in the maxilla (ß = 1.10 [0.37]; p <.05). Older age was associated with higher PI in the mandible (ß = 0.27 [0.11]; p <.05). Smoking was associated with gingival bleeding on both palatal (ß = 0.63 [0.16]; p < .01) and labial sides in the maxilla (ß = 0.46 [0.20]; p <.05). Smoking was also associated with increased prevalence of GR in the mandible (ß = 0.24 [0.07]; p <.01), while use of snuff had similar effect on the labial side in the maxilla (ß = 0.35 [0.08]; p <.01). Higher age (ß = 0.05 [0.02]; p <.05) and the presence of a retainer (ß = 0.23 [0.07]; p < .05) were associated with calculus accumulation on the lingual side in the mandible.
Conclusion: The present observational study suggest that long-term fixed retainers alone have no detrimental effect on the periodontium. Additional factors may increase the risk of plaque deposits and increased probing pocket depths. Further prosepective studies are needed to confirm the present outcome.
Keywords: Confounding factors; long-term orthodontic retention; orthodontic retainers; periodontal health; periodontal parameters.