Comparison of chairside rectangular chain retainers and multi-stranded conventional retainers: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: While retention appliances are widely used in orthodontics, there is still no evidence-based consensus regarding the optimal type of appliance or time of retention.

Objectives: To compare chairside rectangular chain retainers, which can be placed in one sitting, with conventional multi-stranded bonded retainers regarding their levels of stability, biological side effects, complications, and patient experiences.

Trial Design: A single-centre, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Pre-fabricated chain retainers as an alternative to traditional retainers.

Background/purpose: Preserving the outcome of orthodontic treatment is both important and challenging. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the best way to ensure long-term treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate a pre-fabricated chain retainer (PFCR) in terms of: ability to maintain satisfactory treatment outcomes; periodontal and dental health; complications; and patient satisfaction.