Retention protocol following post-orthodontic treatment in cleft palate patients – A review

Abstract

To evaluate and compare the available literature on efficiency of different retention appliances in maintaining the results achieved after orthodontic treatment in cleft palate patients. On comparing the literature available on different retention appliances currently available, it was found that the cast metal retainers offered a more stable and rigid design to maintain the post treatment arch width and also provided the aesthetic replacement of the missing teeth in the cleft region by incorporating a pontic. The cleft lip and palate patients should be informed and motivated for a long term or indefinite retention phase irrespective of the type of retention appliance used. Presently, very few studies are available comparing the effectiveness of different retention protocols in cleft lip and palate patients. Hence, there is need to conduct evidence based high quality longitudinal studies to compare the effectiveness of different retention appliances.