Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

3D-Printed vs Conventional Fixed Retainers After Orthodontic Treatment

36 participantsStarted 2026-08-01

Plain-language summary

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the clinical performance of two types of three-dimensionally printed fixed retainers (Cobalt-Chromium and Titanium Grade 5) with the conventional multistranded stainless steel fixed retainer following orthodontic treatment. Thirty-six participants will be randomly allocated into three parallel groups with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The primary outcome is post-treatment stability assessed by Little's Irregularity Index and lower arch dimensions. Secondary outcomes include bond failure rate and periodontal parameters over a 12-month follow-up period.

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years – 35 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: * Age range 21-35 years old after finishing orthodontic treatment. * Presence of all maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth with normal shape and size. * Completion of orthodontic treatment with full fixed appliances. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with cleft lip and/or palate or any other craniofacial syndrome * Patients with compromised oral hygiene or periodontal disease * Patients who had orthognathic surgery * Lingual appliance treatments * Enamel hypoplasia, fluorosis, active caries, restorations, or fractures in the anterior teeth * Patients who had separate arch debondings with a difference of more than 2 months in-between jaws

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

Orthodontic stability assessed using Little's Irregularity Index

Timeframe: 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07730476

SponsorMinia University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-08-01

Contact for this trial

Salma A Daabis, BDS

+201066600270 salma.daabis@pua.edu.eg

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Orthodontic Relapse trials