# Retrospective Study Regarding Orthodontic Retention Complications in Clinical Practice
## 3 Results
Regarding the gingival recessions (Figure 7) associated with retention devices in the group of male patients, 28 (62.2%) had gingival recessions of 1-3 mm in the lower arch, and 17 (37.7%) of them had recessions of 1-2.5 mm in the upper; 15 patients (33%) had gingival recessions in both dental arches at clinical examination. According to our analysis, female patients of the study group wore (Figure 8): inferior fixed retainer 35%, superior VFRs 21%, both inferior and superior VFRs 21%, Hawley retainer 7%, superior fixed retainer 6%, both inferior and superior fixed retainers 6%, and only 4% wore inferior fixed retainer together with superior VFR. The SW test with the significance level \(\alpha_{\rm sw}\) = 0.05 was applied for the data presented in Figure 8; we get the \(p\)-value = 0.076, 0.76 \(>\alpha_{\rm sw}\) indicated the passing of the normality assumption. The two-sided Grubbs outliers test indicated that no value is extremely high or low, just the value of 35% is furthest from the rest. The calculated mean was 14.29, SD = 11.66, and variance = 136.96. Figure 5: Navy plaque index modified by [PERSON], male study group. DF = interproximal areas ABC = gumline areas. 62% of female patients stated that they use dental floss as an auxiliary mean for oral hygiene; 35% used interdental brushes; 28% used an oral mouthwash; 19% used the water flosser. 2% stated that they do not use any auxiliary method of oral hygiene but only regular toothbrushing. In this study group, 51 patients (72%) needed at least one scaling procedure during retention time; 80% of them wore fixed retainers, 12% wore VRFs, and 8% were patients with Hawley retainers (Figures 9 and 10). Figure 8: Female patients’ distribution according to retention type. Figure 6: Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, male study group. Figure 7: Gingival recession, male group. Figure 9 data passed the normality assumption, with SW test \(p\)-value = 0.41 (\(0.41>\alpha_{\rm sw}\); \(\alpha_{\rm sw}\) = 0.05). Based on this result it was applied the two-sided Grubbs test with \(\alpha_{\rm gr}\) = 0.05 consecutively identifying the following values as statistically furthest from the rest. 1 st application identified 0.956 (Hawley retainer-DF), followed by 0.898 (Inferior fixed retainer-DF), 0.822 (Inferior fixed retainer-ABC), 0.387 (Hawley retainer -ABC), 0.488 (Superior VFR-ABC), 0.528 (Superior VFR-DF), and finally 0.588 (Superior fixed retainer -DF). Regarding the Navy plaque index modified by [PERSON] applied for the female study group, the statistically highest value was obtained when examining patients wearing Hawley retainer (DF). The statistically lowest value was obtained for the Hawley retainer (ABC). Figure 10 data passed the normality assumption, with SW test \(p\)-value = 0.7 (0.7 \(>\alpha_{\rm sw}\); \(\alpha_{\rm sw}\) = 0.05). Based on this result it was applied the two-sided Grubbs test with \(\alpha_{\rm gr}\) = 0.05 consecutively identifying the following values as statistically furthest from the rest. 1 st application identified 1.072 (Inferior and superior VFR), followed by 1.112 (Superior fixed retainer), 1.326 (Superior VFR), 1.355 (Hawley retainer), and finally 1.892 (Inferior fixed retainer). Regarding the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index applied for the female study group, the statistically highest value was obtained when examining patients wearing an Inferior fixed retainer. The statistically lowest value was obtained for the Inferior and superior VFR. Regarding the gingival recessions (Figure 11) associated with retention devices of female patients, 41 (57.7%) had gingival recessions of 1-3 mm in the lower arch, and 21 (29.5%) of them had gingival recessions of 1-2.5 mm in the upper arch; 19 patients (26%) had gingival recessions in both dental arches at clinical examination. Figure 10: Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, female study group. Figure 9: Navy plaque index modified by [PERSON], female study group. DF = interproximal areas ABC = gumline areas.