Users’ perceptions and preferences towards maxillary removable orthodontic retainers: a crossover randomized clinical trial

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess, correlate, and compare users’ perceptions and preference related to maxillary removable retainers. Volunteers were recruited to use four retainer types: conventional wrap-around (CWA), wrap-around with an anterior opening (OWA), “U” wrap-around (UWA), and clear thermoplastic retainer (CT). The main outcomes were the volunteers’ perceptions, evaluated with a 100-mm visual analogue scale, and their preferred retainer. The retainers were used for 21 days each (washout intervals of 7 days). Nineteen volunteers (27 ± 4.53 years) were randomly d...