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Tooth loss as a result of a bonded retainer: a case report

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  • Published:
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Abstract

To reduce the risk of unwanted post-treatment changes following orthodontic treatment, use of bonded retainers is gaining popularity. Despite their efficacy and popularity with patients, it has been widely reported that there are significant risks with bonded retainers if they are not maintained and monitored. This case report demonstrates how unwanted tooth movement caused by a bonded retainer can lead to catastrophic failure and ultimately, tooth loss. The importance of active and regular monitoring of bonded retainers is highlighted and recommendations are made to the wider dental community on how to monitor such retainers in clinical practice.

Key points

  • There are risks with bonded retainers if they are not appropriately maintained and monitored.

  • In severe cases, unwanted tooth movement caused by a bonded retainer can lead to catastrophic failure and ultimately, tooth loss.

  • The use of bonded retainers creates considerable responsibilities for the orthodontist, patient and general dental practitioner.

  • Dental professionals placing or reviewing patients with fixed retainers need to be aware of their responsibilities, including the importance of checking for unwanted tooth movement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Speciality Registrar in Orthodontics, Leeds Dental Institute, UK; Speciality Registrar in Orthodontics, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, United Kingdom

    Kelly Smorthit

  2. Consultant Orthodontist, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom

    Simon J. Littlewood

  3. Consultant Orthodontist, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, United Kingdom

    Jonathan Sandler

Authors
  1. Kelly Smorthit
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  2. Simon J. Littlewood
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  3. Jonathan Sandler
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Contributions

Kelly Smorthit drafted and critically revised the manuscript. Simon J. Littlewood and Jonathan Sandler revised the manuscript with amendments and approved the version to be published.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly Smorthit.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Written consent to publish was obtained for the publication of the patient's identifiable information.

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Smorthit, K., Littlewood, S. & Sandler, J. Tooth loss as a result of a bonded retainer: a case report. Br Dent J 234, 579–581 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5693-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5693-0

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