At South Coast Orthodontics, our ethos revolves around a relentless pursuit of excellence in orthodontic care. As the lead orthodontist, I’m deeply invested in the continuous growth and advancement of our practice, always seeking to integrate the latest developments and innovations in the field into our patient care protocols.
Academically, my days of university may be over, but my days of learning will never be. This includes journals, online courses and even blog sites including one of my favourites by Dr Kevin O’Brien and Professor Padhraig Fleming, who recently wrote the below article:
https://kevinobrienorthoblog.
Firstly, the significance of orthodontic retainers in maintaining the outcomes of orthodontic treatment has garnered increasing attention. Retainers serve as a crucial element in preserving the alignment of teeth post-braces, with fixed and removable retainers emerging as the primary options for patients. Fixed retainers, affixed behind the teeth, are particularly effective in sustaining alignment in the lower front teeth, while removable retainers offer flexibility but require regular removal for cleaning and eating activities.
The advent of CAD/CAM nitinol retainers has ushered in a new era of retention technology, exemplified by products such as Memotain. However, a recent comparative study unveiled a higher failure rate in Memotain retainers, particularly in the upper arch. A United Kingdom based team has done a new comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of Memotain versus Ortho-Flex Tech retainers in both arches.
The independent study compared the stability, failure rates, and patient satisfaction of Memotain and Ortho-Flex Tech retainers. Participants included patients who had completed fixed appliance treatment, with Memotain retainers as the intervention and Ortho-Flex Tech retainers as the comparator. The primary outcome measured dental relapse, while secondary outcomes included failure rates and patient comfort.
Despite the well-conducted trial, the study had to be terminated prematurely due to the high failure rate of Memotain retainers, which was significantly higher compared to Ortho-Flex Tech retainers. The authors concluded that Memotain retainers had a higher risk of failure in the maxillary arch. This unexpected outcome prompted the researchers to stop enrolling participants to prevent harm and ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
The study’s findings emphasise the importance of thorough testing and evaluation of new innovations before clinical implementation. While the high failure rates raise concerns, they shed light on the need for further development in retainer technology.
At South Coast Orthodontics, we continue to proudly use Ortho-Flex Tech retainers, with no desire to switch to Memotain.
Ortho-Flex Tech retainers epitomise the pinnacle of orthodontic innovation, offering bespoke solutions tailored to the unique dental structure of each patient. These retainers are distinguished by their superior customisation, comfort, durability, effectiveness, and aesthetics. By delivering a precise fit that prevents teeth from regressing to their original positions, Ortho-Flex Tech retainers ensure enduring results.
Our resolute use of Ortho-Flex Tech retainers underscores our steadfast dedication to providing unparalleled care to South Coast Orthodontics patients. By selecting these state-of-the-art retainers, we aim to empower our patients with a reliable and comprehensive solution for upholding their orthodontic achievements and guiding them through their journey with confidence and assurance.
At South Coast Orthodontics, we are steadfast in our mission to propel our practice forward, ensuring that our patients receive the highest calibre of orthodontic treatment.
Yours truly,
Dr Kamal Ahmed
P.S Why should you never throw grandpa’s false teeth at a vehicle? You might denture car.
