Patient-Reported Outcome Measures on Oral Hygiene, Periodontal Health, and Treatment Satisfaction of Orthodontic Retention Patients up to Ten Years after Treatment-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This cross-sectional study evaluated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on (1) oral hygiene, (2) periodontal health, (3) retainer failure, (4) orthodontic treatment satisfaction, and (5) outcome satisfaction in orthodontic retention patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether orthodontic retention treatment is associated with patient-reported outcome measures on oral hygiene, periodontal health, and treatment satisfaction. Methods: A ten-item questionnaire on the five PROMs was conducted among 211 consecutive retention patients up to ten years following orthodontic treatment. Linear regression models were computed to detect possible associations between the PROMs and retention treatment or patient characteristics. Results: The presence of a fixed lingual retainer was not associated with the reduced ability to perform oral hygiene, self-perceived periodontal health, or orthodontic outcome satisfaction. Older patients were more content with the orthodontic treatment result (p < 0.05). Patients with fixed lingual retainers in the mandible were less satisfied with the course of orthodontic treatment (p < 0.05). Smokers more often reported gingival bleeding (p < 0.05). Females reported increased gingival recessions (p < 0.05) and perceived their teeth as longer than before treatment (p < 0.05). Longer orthodontic treatment duration corresponded to retainer failure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In general, long-term orthodontic retention patients were satisfied with orthodontic treatment. These patients reported the satisfactory ability to perform adequate oral hygiene and periodontal health, and they communicated a high degree of treatment and outcome contentment. However, patients with a retainer in the mandible were less satisfied with orthodontic treatment.

Periodontal status in long-term orthodontic retention patients up to 10 years after treatment - a cross-sectional study.

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.