Original Research

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 1 | Page : 39-59

Retention Protocols and Relapse Management Strategies Used by Orthodontists in Türkiye: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

İpek Savkan1, Osman Bilal Kandaz2, Evren Öztas3

1-Assistant Professor, 2-PhD Student, 3-Professor, Istanbul Kent University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Istanbul, Turkey

Address for Correspondence:

Dr Osman Bilal Kandaz

Ph. D Student, Istanbul Kent University,

Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, İstanbul, Turkey

Cihangir, Sıraselviler Cd. No:71, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

Phone: +90 539 318 20 21

Email: bikandaz@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Orthodontic relapse is a common clinical challenge following orthodontic treatment and may occur due to biological factors such as periodontal reorganization, soft-tissue pressures, and craniofacial growth changes. Although various retention protocols are widely used, there is still no universal consensus regarding the most effective retention strategy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the retention protocols and relapse management strategies preferred by orthodontists in Türkiye following orthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods: A national cross-sectional survey consisting of 33 multiple-choice questions was distributed electronically to members of the Turkish Orthodontic Society using an online survey platform. A total of 100 orthodontists responded, corresponding to a 10% response rate. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to evaluate differences according to professional experience.

Results: Retention protocols were applied to all patients by 94% of orthodontists, and 74% recommended lifelong retention. Vacuum-formed retainers and bonded retainers were the most commonly used appliances in maxillary and mandibular arches, respectively. Less experienced orthodontists showed a significantly higher tendency to prefer removable retainers in non-extraction Class I crowding cases (p = 0.015). Overall, 87% of orthodontists reported encountering relapse in their clinical practice, most frequently in tooth rotation and anterior open-bite cases (p = 0.006, p = 0.034, respectively). Retreatment was reported in ≤25% of patients in 73% of relapse cases.

Conclusions: Orthodontists in Türkiye widely recognize the importance of retention; however, substantial variability exists in retention protocols and relapse management strategies. Professional experience appears to influence certain clinical decisions, highlighting the need for standardized evidence-based retention guidelines.
Keywords:Orthodontic Retention, Orthodontic Relapse, Orthodontists, Retainers, Surveys and Questionnaires.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FUNDING

Nil

How to cite this article: İpek Savkan, Osman Bilal Kandaz, Evren Öztas. Retention Protocols and Relapse Management Strategies Used by Orthodontists in Türkiye: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (1): 39-59.

Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.171.ijor0064