Orthodontic retention remains one of the most important and challenging aspects of any orthodontic treatment. We are entering a world of personalised medicine, with the aim of tailoring medical decisions and interventions to an individual's unique characteristics, which should help us optimize treatment outcomes and minimize side effects. This is particularly important in orthodontic retention, when patient’s expectations, values and motivations affect their approach to wearing, caring for and replacing retainers. Dr Littlewood has been undertaking research into orthodontic retention for over 20 years. In this lecture Dr Littlewood will discuss how findings from recent qualitative research is providing vital information to help us to better understand how to improve the retention phase of treatment. This will provide an entertaining and highly relevant overview about how to personal your choice of retention, based on evidence-based research. For anyone involved in clinical orthodontics, this is a lecture not to miss.


Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you will be able to understand the principles of shared-decision making in orthodontics
After this lecture, you will be able to recognise the role of qualitative research in understanding why some patients wear their removable retainers and why many don't
After this lecture, you will be able to appreciate different personalised approaches to orthodontic retention