• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate retention practices commonly employed by orthodontists. The objectives were to identify the types of retainer frequently used and to investigate the variations in retention practice. Methods: A total of 97 orthodontists were randomly selected, and a questionnaire consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions sent to them by mail. Upon receiving of the completed questionnaires, the data were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 32 responses were received; among these, 59.4% of orthodontists' practiced is in a government setting and 40.6% were in private practice. A vacuum-formed retainer was the most commonly used removable retainer for both maxillary (46.9%) and mandibular (46.9%) arches, followed by a Hawley retainer (maxilla, 43.8%; mandible, 37.5%), and a fixed retainer (maxilla, 3.1%; mandible, 9.4%). Of the responding orthodontists, 78.1% prescribed full-time wear (more than 20 h per day) for a duration of 3-9 months for a maxillary arch, compared to 71.9% for the mandibular arch. Only 18.8% of the orthodontists prescribed part-time wear of the retainer for the maxillary arch, compared to 21.9% for the mandibular arch. The majority of orthodontists did not instruct their patients to stop wearing removable retainers (71.9%) or fixed retainers (66.8%) at any specific time and they preferred their patients to continue wearing retainers. Conclusions: Vacuum-formed retainers are the most commonly used retainers among orthodontists. The majority of orthodontists prescribed full-time wear for more than 20 h per day with a duration of 3-9 months and preferred indefinite use of the retainer.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.268-272
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• 2015

Clear thermoplastic retainers have been widely used in daily orthodontics; however, they have inherent limitations associated with thermoplastic polymer materials such as dimensional instability, low strength, and poor wear resistance. To solve these problems, we developed a new type of clear orthodontic retainer that incorporates multi-layer hybrid materials. It consists of three layers; an outer polyethylenterephthalate glycol modified (PETG) hard-type polymer, a middle thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) soft-type polymer, and an inner reinforced resin core. The resin core improves wear resistance and mechanical strength, which prevent unwanted distortion of the bucco-palatal wall of the retainer. The TPU layer absorbs impact and the PETG layer has good formability, optical qualities, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability, which contributes to increased support from the mandibular dentition, and helps maintain the archform. This new type of vacuum-formed retainer showed improved mechanical strength and rate of water absorption.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.539-544
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• 1998

Thermoformed appliance, which has been recently introduced for dental usage, is an appliance made of thermoformed sheets and formed with positive or negative pressure under heat. Thermoplastic material is a kind of plastics and can be repeatedly softened by heat. It is classified into hard elastic foil, hard/soft compound foil and soft elastic foil, including BIOPLAST, BIOCRYL, IMPRELON, etc. It has been developed in 1969 and is available in various thickness, shape and color. There are two types of Vacuum former for thermoplastic materials; the pressure type and suction type. The former is much better than the latter for fabrication of various appliances due to its higher pressure. The authors have applied these appliances to some cases - chin cap, active retainer, individual Fluoride tray, mouth protector, bracket transfer mask, bruxism splint(night guard), Essix appliance - by pressure type Vacuum former($Biostar^{(R)}$). The thermoplastic appliances have numerous advantages such as simple procedure, short working time, clean and transparent product, less objectionable taste. But its outstanding advantage would be its excellent biocompatibility bacause it has no monomer and hence no tissue irritation. Although there is some limitations in its usage, it can be used widely for various purposes especaily for pediatric dentistry.