Retention preferences and protocols of Brazilian orthodontists: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the orthodontic retention protocols used by Brazilian orthodontists.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 693 orthodontists who answered a web-based questionnaire with 22 questions regarding the participants' characteristics, their retainers' prescriptions, follow-up duration, and appliance fabrication.

Results: A 20.84% response rate was recorded. Most orthodontists reported working in private dental offices (94.7%), and female practitioners comprised 59.9% of the respondents. The mean age of the orthodontists was 41.05 years, and the mean time practicing as an orthodontist was 11.28 years. For the maxillary arch, most orthodontists (57.9%) declared to use the Hawley retainer, and for the mandibular arch, 49.1% use the bonded retainer. Regarding the retention phase duration, 85.6% recommend using a permanent retainer for the mandibular arch; and for the maxillary arch, 36.2% recommended using it for 1 to 2 years. The main reason that led orthodontists to choose a retention design was related to the initial malocclusion characteristics (72.9%), and the most mentioned explanation for choosing the retainer type and protocol was clinical experience (44.5%). Most orthodontists (85.3%) would like to have access to general guidelines/protocols for retention procedures after orthodontic treatment.

Conclusions: According to the answers, retention protocols varied among Brazilian orthodontists. Brazilian orthodontists preferred to use a Hawley retainer in the maxillary arch and a fixed straight retention bonded from canine to canine (3x3) in the mandibular arch.