Orthodontic Retention Importance and Causes

Questions and Answers

Which of these options is the INCORRECT answer regarding orthodontic retention?

Orthodontic retention can be removable or fixed (permanent) in nature

Retention allows the teeth, bone and gingival tissues time to reorganize themselves after orthodontic tooth movement

It is much more important to have orthodontic retention if orthodontic treatment has taken more than 2 years to complete (correct)

Retention helps to mitigate against further unwanted tooth movement due to future skeletal growth

Teeth may be moved into planned and possibly inherently unstable positions where the soft tissues consistently produce pressure on the teeth to promote a natural relapse tendency

Orthodontic retention is just as important for adults as it is for children.

True

All patients who undergo orthodontic treatment require and should have retainers after treatment.

True

Which of these options is the INCORRECT cause of orthodontic tooth relapse?

Orthodontic relapse changes in the occlusal relationship is due primarily to elastic recoil of the gingival and periodontal tissue fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is correct regarding the reorganization of the periodontal ligament?

False and True Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is CORRECT about Active Stabilization?

A, B, C, D are correct Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is the INCORRECT statement about occlusal changes related to growth?

B and D are correct answers Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is the INCORRECT method that may be employed to help retention in a Class II orthodontically treated patient?

Nighttime chin cap therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is the INCORRECT method that may be employed to help retention in a Class III orthodontically treated patient?

Nighttime wear of high pull headgear Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is the INCORRECT method that may be employed to help retention in a patient who has been orthodontically treated for the correction of an anterior open bite?

Nighttime wear of chin cap therapy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Orthodontic Retention

Retention is crucial post-treatment to prevent teeth from shifting to unstable positions due to soft tissue pressure.
Allows time for the teeth, bone, and gums to stabilize after orthodontic adjustments.
Helps counteract potential unwanted movement as a result of future skeletal growth.
Retention is equally essential for adult patients as it is for children.
Most individuals require retainers following orthodontic treatment, regardless of age or duration of treatment.

Causes of Orthodontic Tooth Relapse

Relapse can occur due to the elastic recoil of gingival and periodontal fibers, affecting tooth alignment.
Changes in external pressures from cheeks, lips, and tongue can influence the position of teeth, particularly in growing patients.
Differential growth of skeletal jaws may cause relapse in occlusal relationships after completion of treatment.

Periodontal Ligament and Forces

It is normal to see a widened periodontal ligament space during active treatment; reorganization occurs as teeth respond to normal chewing forces post-treatment.

Active Stabilization

Active stabilization by the periodontal ligament (PDL) counters forces from lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Active stabilization mimics the forces experienced during tooth eruption.
Efforts to stabilize teeth through orthodontics require re-establishment of active stabilization after treatment completion.

Occlusal changes can still happen after orthodontic treatment due to ongoing facial growth.
Changes do not stop at the same age for boys and girls, indicating differences in growth timelines.
Occlusal changes typically follow a progression of transverse, anteroposterior, then vertical skeletal growth.

Retention Methods for Class II and III

Effective Class II retention methods include nighttime combination headgear and functional appliances like Bionator.
Nighttime chin cap therapy is not an effective option for Class II retention.
Methods for Class III retention include functional appliances and mandibular restraining devices.
High pull headgear is generally not effective for Class III patients.

Retention After Anterior Open Bite Correction

Retention strategies include nighttime high pull headgear with splints, posterior bite blocks, and maxillary/mandibular retainers.
Addressing thumb sucking habits and assessing abnormal tongue functions are critical for long-term retention success.
Chin cap therapy is not a suitable method for managing retention in anterior open bite corrections.

Description

This quiz covers the significance of orthodontic retention after treatment, emphasizing its role in preventing tooth movement and allowing for stabilization of dental structures. It also explores the causes of orthodontic tooth relapse and the role of periodontal ligaments. Ideal for orthodontic students and practitioners.