Clinical Research Directory

Effectiveness of Gold Fixed Retainers Compared to Conventional Stainless Steel Retainers

This randomized clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of a gold-plated multistranded mandibular fixed retainer versus a conventional multistranded stainless-steel fixed retainer in maintaining lower anterior tooth alignment after completion of orthodontic treatment. Eligible participants (post-orthodontic patients requiring mandibular fixed retention) will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a gold-plated 0.0195-inch multistranded retainer or an identical-gauge 0.0195-inch stainless-steel multistranded retainer. Participants will be followed for 6 months. The primary outcome is post-treatment stability of mandibular anterior alignment, assessed by changes in Little's Irregularity Index over time, along with retainer failure outcomes (e.g., time to first failure and tooth-level failure events). Secondary outcomes include periodontal health indices and related clinical measures collected at baseline and follow-up visits. For the microbiological assessment, plaque/biofilm will be collected from the retainer using sterile swabs at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months to evaluate bacterial levels associated with each retainer material.

Retentive Capacity of Bonded Retainer Vs Vacuum-formed and Combined Bonded-vacuum Retainers

The main goal is to test the differences between the retentive capacity of fixed retainer, vacuum-formed retainer \& combination of both; and recommend the most effective protocol for retention of lower incisors crowding treated by non-extraction treatment plan The main question is: In patients with lower incisors crowding treated by non-extraction treatment plans, what is the difference in retentive capacity between fixed retainer, vacuum formed retainer and combined bonded and vacuum retainers in maintaining corrected lower anterior segment crowding? After enrolment, each participant will have the orthodontic appliance debonded, the adhesive remnant removed and the enamel surface polished. An alginate impression will be taken to be poured into a study model which will be scanned to obtain STL files for digital models. All patients will have periodontal charting and probing depths recorded for the lower anterior segment. According to the randomization, each patient will be assigned to a group to receive the retainer. All patients will be called for follow-up after 1 week, 1 and 3 months.

The Use of Remote Monitoring for Orthodontic Retention Review

To assess whether using retainers and an artificial intelligence supported remote monitoring system maintains a more stable orthodontic treatment result than using retainers with in-office review appointments.