Retention & Relapse
After active treatment, teeth tend to return toward their original positions; retention maintains the corrected result while bone and soft tissues reorganise.
Retainers
- Hawley retainer — removable, durable, allows settling of occlusion.
- Bonded (fixed) retainer — lingual wire; effective for long-term anterior stability, often considered semi-permanent.
- Vacuum-formed (Essix) — esthetic clear removable retainer.
Relapse
The most common relapse is lower anterior crowding. Rotations relapse readily; a circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy (CSF) can reduce rotational relapse by releasing supracrestal gingival fibres.
Exam Tips ⭐
Lower anterior crowding = most common relapse; bonded retainer = long-term; fiberotomy reduces rotational relapse.
📝 Practice MCQs — Retention & Relapse
Q1. The most common site of post-orthodontic relapse is:
A. Upper molars
B. Lower anterior crowding
C. Posterior open bite
D. Midline diastema
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Lower incisor crowding is the classic relapse.
Q2. Which procedure reduces rotational relapse?
A. Frenectomy
B. Circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy
C. Gingivectomy
D. Apicoectomy
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
CSF releases supracrestal fibres that drive rotational relapse.
Q3. A bonded retainer is:
A. Removable
B. A fixed lingual wire for long-term retention
C. An expansion device
D. A functional appliance
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Bonded retainers are fixed lingual wires for durable retention.
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Related Topics
Space Analysis & ExtractionsOrthodontic Wires, Brackets, BiomechanicsAngle's Classification & Malocclusion