ASSESSMENT OF MANDIBULAR ARCH WIDTH CHANGES IN NON-EXTRACTION CASES AFTER ONE YEAR OF FIXED LINGUAL RETENTION

Introduction: This study was designed to evaluate the changes in mandibular inter-canine inter-premolar and inter-molar width with the presence of a fixed retainer in the mandibular arch for one year in retention using a flexible spiral retainer bonded to all six anteriors.
Methods: Twenty subjects who finished non extraction fixed treatment protocol and completed a one year of a fixed retention regime using a flexible spiral retainer bonded to all mandibular six anteriors. Orthodontic study casts were taken at [T0] pre-treatment, [T1] post-treatment and [T2] one year post-treatment. Orthodontic study cast assessment was done using an electronic caliper.
Results: The inter-canine width showed statistically non-significant changes as well as the inter-premolar width changes while the inter-molar width changes was statistically significant.
Conclusions: 1-Fixed retainers proved to stabilize the inter-canine width. 2-The inter-premolar width showed relapse within one year in retention to the pre-treatment measurements. 3-The increase in inter-molar areas was stable to a momentous degree and could be used for increasing the mandibular arch width.