| Objective: The objectives were to determine the perceived need for re-treatment of relapsed teeth following full-fixed orthodontic treatment among lay evaluators, patients, parents, dentists and orthodontists. The influence of evaluator age, gender, post orthodontic experience and dental training was evaluated.;Results: The evaluator groups' opinions differed significantly in their recommendations for re-treatment and appliance use (p<0.0001). Evaluator age and previous orthodontic experience significantly influenced the recommendations. Patient evaluators accepted shorter re-treatment time than orthodontists (p<0.0001). Orthodontists wanted higher fees than parents were willing to pay (p<0.05). Orthodontists of group 1 (their own patient) recommended re-treatment more often than orthodontic evaluators of group 2 (transfer cases) (p<0.05).;Conclusion: Patients who were the youngest and receiving treatment were the most critical and dentists the most forgiving of relapse. Orthodontists should not assume their views and opinions are the same as patients, parents or the referring dentist. Invisalign appears to not be a preferred method for re-treatment among orthodontists. Orthodontists and patients expect re-treatment to be completed in <1year. Communication is very important with emphasis on treatment length, cost and making patients/parents aware of the potential for relapse prior to the start of treatment.;Materials and Methods: Full records (models, photographs and radiographs at pre-treatment (T1) and 5 years post-treatment (T3)) for 15 patients with lower incisor relapse consisting of 5 patients exhibiting mild. 5 moderate and 5 severe, were obtained. 30 evaluators in each of 6 groups reviewed the records to determine if re-treatment was necessary. |
