The effectiveness of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers: a single-center randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) are often prescribed by orthodontists in the British National Health Service (NHS). There is no good evidence that VFRs are more effective than Hawley retainers. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of Hawley and VFRs over a 6-month period of retention.

Cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction: Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers.

In the United Kingdom (UK) over the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the use of vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) rather than conventional Hawley retainers. There are currently no data to compare the cost-effectiveness of this change in practice. The two aims of this study were to compare (1) the cost-effectiveness of VFRs and Hawley retainers over 6 months, from the perspective of the National Health Service, orthodontic practice, and the patient and (2) patient satisfaction in the two retainer groups.