UnknownNot Applicable

The Effects of Different Storage Conditions on Removable Retainers

Malaysia24 participantsStarted 2023-05-10

Plain-language summary

Orthodontic removable retainers are appliances that hold the position of the upper and lower teeth after fixed braces treatment and they can be removed from a patient's mouth. Basically, there are 2 types of removable retainers; Hawley retainer and vacuum-formed retainer. Hawley retainer is made of an acrylic resin plate that covers the palate for the upper jaw and the back of the arch facing the tongue for the lower jaw. It has thin stainless-steel wires incorporated to fit the first molars and the six front teeth as retention. Vacuum-formed retainer (VFR) is a clear or transparent plastic retainer. It covers the teeth completely and a small part of the gum. The investigators' interest is to determine whether the storage conditions will affect the amount of bacteria, appearance and strength of removable retainers. Primarily, the amount of bacteria that sticks to the retainers may cause overall dental and oral health effects such as mouth odour, dental caries and gum problems. The investigators would also like to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of participants after storing retainers in different storage conditions by answering a questionnaire.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years and above * Fixed appliance treatment on both the upper and lower arches * Ready for debond * Planned for either Hawley retainers or VFRs for retention * Fit and healthy patients without systemic disease * Non-smoking patients Exclusion Criteria: * Sectional fixed appliance treatment or fixed appliance treatment on single arch only * Planned for double retention with bonded retainers * Systemic disease that may affect salivary flow * Smoking patients

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Microbial colony counts of removable retainers in wet and dry storage conditions

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05854953

SponsorUniversity of Malaya

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-03

Contact for this trial

Amira Farhana Kairul Annuar

+0133936354 s2042680@siswa.um.edu.my

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Orthodontic Appliance Complication trials