Orthodontic re-treatment. A qualitative study of patients

A growing number of patients go to orthodontic practices to receive orthodontic re-treatment, but their reasons for seeking re-treatment are uncertain. By means of a standardized questionnaire this study investigates the patients'experiences with the initial orthodontic treatment, applied retention procedures, and the patients'expectations and motivational reasons for re-treatment. In total 100 patients were asked to complete the questionnaire, 88 of them actually filled it out. The study subjects showed an above average educational level, with a considerably higher percentage of females than males seeking re-treatment. Fixed appliances were used most frequently during the first course of treatment and most patients had been fitted with a removable retention plate or fixed retention wire at the conclusion of their first treatment; almost 40% of the patients did not receive any kind of retention appliance. Patients sought re-treatment mostly on their own initiative, as opposed to their initial treatment, when they were mostly referred by dentists or orthodontists. This revealed itself in patients' high levels of motivation for re-treatment. Moreover, patients appeared to have realistic impressions of the time and cost involved in re-treatment.