A farewell to dogmatic retention

Abstract

SummaryFine orthodontic treatment results are fine. Fine stable results are finer. But when is stability achieved? Many studies show that the decline from optimal alignment and occlusion is most rapid immediately after appliance removal and slows down after some three to five years. For stabilization, we need some form of retention. Many retention regiments have been proposed sometimes with almost missionary fervour. The following commentary is a rather personal, but yet objective evaluation to highlight the quality evidence that the article by Edman, Petrén, Bondemark, and Lilja-Karlander presents which helps us clinicians to make informed decisions about orthodontic retention technique. It also underscores why the article is a masterpiece.