Objectives: This study aimed to compare changes in the lower dental arch after bonding two different shapes of Nickel titanium fixed retainers. The study was focused on whether the different shapes and sizes of retainers influence periodontal tissue response during one year of the post-treatment phase. Material and methods: Sixty subjects in total, of age (16-25), were randomly divided into two groups, every 30 subjects, upon finishing orthodontic treatment. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to growth factor (16-19) and (20_25) years old. First group FR was bonded Flat Nickel-titanium Retainer, thickness .010” x .029”, manufactured by Forestadent and to other 30 other subjects was bonded multistranded round Nickel -titanium retainer thickness ø 0.44mm/17”, manufactured by Dentaurum. Subjects had to come for checkups in 3,6,9, and 12 months, where four periodontal parameters were evaluated Plaque Index, Calculus Index, Gingival Index and Probing Depth. Results: There were statistically significant differences for the Plaque Index in favour of the Flat retainer. Also, the Gingival Index was higher in the Round retainer group but only after 12 months of retention. Pocket depth values increased in the first 3 months and then again showed the difference in the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Flat retainers showed less periodontal tissue response, lower Plaque Index, Gingival Index and less Pocket Depth compared to the Round retainers used in this study. But again, we found both types of fixed retainers initiate some periodontal response anyway.
Key words: Fixed retainers, flat retainer, multistranded round retainer
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