RESUMO
One of the strenuous problems in orthodontic procedures is postretention stability and retention against relapse. Many investigative trial had been done to disclose the factors associated with relapse and effective prescription to stave off, however, the nature of these jeopardies remained obscure. The objective was to investigate the long-term stability and quantitative changes of dental arches subsequently after Class I nonextraction treatment Study models,cephalometric headfilms of 26 samples which were taken before, after teatment and postretention were employed to measure the interdental width of corresponding buccal teeth,overbite,overjet and the inclination of incisors and molars. Statistical analysis was carried to compare each measurements across the time period, and followings were brought around 1. The quantitative amount of relapse in overbite presented positive correlation with the amount of changes through the treatment. 2. Stability of intercanine width was so far secure in the case the expansion had been done through. 3. The amount of changes in intercanine width of the lower regardless of expansion or contraction manifested less than the upper, however, the relapse ratio got high. 4. The upper !and lower incisors were likely to be labioversive, and remained stable after retention. 5. The first molars of the upper and lower were conceivably tipped back immediately after treatment and returned to the original angulation. The expansion of intermolar width stayed stable across the time scheme after treatment It was suggested that the maintenance of intercanine width of lower was pertinent to perform the postretention stabilityv and the expansion of dental arch shoed be confined within physiologic boundaries of the patients.