Effect of Different Fixed Lingual Retainers on Tooth Mobility: Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the effect of different fixed lingual retainers (LRs) on tooth mobility after orthodontic treatment using a Periotest®device. Materials and methods: A total of 82 patients (43 females and 39 males; mean age = 18.61 ± 3.71 years) with no missing teeth in the lower inter-canine region were treated with fixed orthodontic mechanics. At the completion of the orthodontic treatment, each patient was fitted with either Ortho FlexTech (Reliance; Group I), dead soft 8-braided (Bond-A-Braid, Reliance; Group II), or 5-stranded (PentaOne, Masel; Group III) LR wire. A control group consisting of people with a healthy periodontal condition and no bone loss was included (Control; Group C). The mobility of the lower anterior teeth on the right and left sides was measured using a Periotest®device before (T₀), immediately after (T₁), and 10 months after (T₂) the application of the LR. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD, repeated ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test, and Pearson χ² tests. Results: Tooth mobility was significantly lower at T₁ and T₂ compared to that at T₀ (P < 0.05); however, there were no differences in the mobility at T₁ and T₂ in all study groups (P > 0.05). When the mobility measurements taken at the different times were compared, there was no statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In all the study groups, tooth mobility decreased immediately after LR application and did not change during the 10-month follow-up. There were no significant differences in tooth mobility among the study groups. Clinical relevance: Any of the studied types of retainer wires could be used by clinicians.