Assessing the Impact of Removable Orthodontic Retainers on Oral Health Related Quality of Life: Non-Randomized Clinical Trial Publisher

Summary: Can retainers affect oral health satisfaction? A study found that Essix retainers improved quality of life more than Hawley ones. Most patients felt better over time! #OralHealth #DentalCare

Shahroudi A ; Bahrami R
Source: Frontiers in Dentistry Published:2025

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-perceived satisfaction of patients wearing Hawley (HR) or Essix retainer (ER) using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who had recently completed orthodontic treatment and received either an HR or ER were recruited. Participants completed the OHIP-14 questionnaire one week (T1) and two months (T2) after receiving their retainers. Self-perceived satisfaction with the retainers was also recorded. Results: The ER group showed significantly lower overall OHIP-14 scores than the HR group at both T1 and T2. In 14 OHIP items, HR scored higher in all except “sense of taste” (T1 and T2), “unsatisfactory diet” (T1), and “uncomfortable eating” (T2). From T1 to T2, overall OHIP-14 scores decreased significantly in both groups, with reductions in 10 items for ER and 8 items for HR. The mean satisfaction score (out of 3) was higher for ER (2.5±0.5) than for HR (1.23±0.43), and satisfaction increased significantly in both groups over time. Conclusion: ER had less negative impact on OHRQoL than HR. After two months, most OHIP-14 dimensions showed improvement in both groups, indicating patient adaptation to retainers and reduced discomfort over time. Adaptation was slightly greater with ER, and overall satisfaction was higher compared to HR. Copyright © 2025The Authors.