Awareness, satisfaction and compliance on protocols of retention among orthodontically treated individuals.

Bhagyashree Desai,
Aakash Shah,
Jagravi Shah*

Abstract

Background: The objective was to anticipate opinions of orthodontically treated patients on awareness, satisfaction and compliance about the protocols of retention in among Western Indian population. Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study carried out among Orthodontically treated patients who were in the retention or post retention phase. A questionnaire was designed specifically for the study in online as well as offline format. The questionnaire was divided into 4 segments with a total of 26 close ended multiple choice questions. The first segment of the survey included the demographic information of the respondent. The second was regarding awareness about the retainers. The third and fourth parts of the survey addressed satisfaction amongst the respondents in retention or post retention period; and the compliance aspects respectively. Results: A high response rate of 91.25% was noted. All of the respondents were prescribed retainers after the orthodontic therapy in their retention phase. 125(42.8%) respondents reported to have removable retainer and followed a combination of removable and fixed retainer. 213(72.9%) patients were aware about the orthodontic retainers for maintaining the attained results. Most of the respondents indicated they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their teeth, both at the end of treatment 274(93.8%) and retention and post-retention phase 268(91.8%). Lastly, most of them followed the instructions regarding retention protocols given by the orthodontist as much as 239(81.8%). Conclusion: The extent of awareness, satisfaction and compliance of retention protocols among patients were seemingly as high as 72.9%, 91.8% and 81.8%(cumulative) respectively. However, motivation from the orthodontist as well as patients’ attitude are eminent factors contributing to overall all three aspects of retention protocols.