I have recently seen online a video introduction by a well-known British orthodontist for his upcoming lecture on retention. And this forced me to write this post.

This is true that British researchers have been very active in the recent years carrying out studies on retention. But I can’t help feeling that a question that is always asked in such studies is absolutely wrong. It often sounds like this: which type of retention is better?

In my opinion, a type of retainer or how it is worn has almost NOTHING to do with the problem of retention. I am going to share a view on what I consider important for stability. This is very subjective opinion which I base on my clinical experience and my critical evaluation of the long-term records from different sources.

Here are three major factors I believe are critically important for stability:

1. Keeping initial arch form

Keeping initial arch form is your best retainer. This is the form being dictated by the surrounding soft tissues and once you have expanded it, there will be a collapse. I believe in uprighting. But I don’t trust expansion.

2. IMPA

Incisor mandibular plane angle is critical when we want to avoid the crowding of the lower front teeth. Once you procline, be ready to rely heavily on a fixed 3-to-3 for life. It’s also prudent to fix this type of retainer on each patient because what we know for sure – this region moves! In general, more proclination, more relapsation…

3. Interdigitation

This is very clear. The tighter the contacts are, the better this keeps the teeth stable… and from this perspective Hawley retainers are obviously better.

Again, this is my personal opinion based on my own experience, on what I saw in many lectures, and on what I was able to elicit evaluating study models of several senior colleagues.

Of course, many other aspects may also come into play, such as initial malocclusion, tongue thrust, periodontal issues, etc.

Overall, I think it is hardly possible to evaluate the best retainer scientifically. Retention is not about a retainer. It is about the quality of the work that has been done for 2 years prior to the moment you place your retainer.