Subjective assessment of bonded fixed lingual retainers: A questionnaire survey

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to assess the patients' subjective assessment of bonded fixed lingual retainers after completion of active orthodontic treatment. Objective: A questionnaire comprising 11 questions evaluated the patients' experience with bonded fixed lingual retainer. Materials and Methods: The content was validated by a group of seven experienced orthodontists. The questionnaire survey was run using Google Forms, responded by 45 (50.6%) males and 44 (49.4%) females between the ages ranging from 19 to 42 years. Their responses were rated on a Visual Analogue Scale as applicable. Cronbach's alpha test was utilised for assessing the reliability, and the Chi-square test was used for the quantitative variables. Results: 33.7% of individuals were most comfortable, and 2.2% had severe discomfort during retainer placement. 6.6% of individuals had severe difficulty maintaining oral hygiene in the upper arch and 4.4% in lower teeth and gums, respectively. 2.2% had severe difficulty in speech. 85.4% had no tongue ulceration. 37.1% of respondents had a very good overall experience with fixed bonded lingual retainer, 59.5% had mild problems and only 1.1% had severe problems with a very bad experience. Conclusions: The study concluded that the overall experience of respondents with fixed lingual bonded retainer had mild problems. It was comfortable for most of the patients in maintaining oral hygiene with mild difficulty in speech and chewing. The cause of failure of the retainer was mainly due to bond failure or broken wire in the retainer.