Bleeding on Probing Associated with Two Different Bonded Fixed Retainers: A 12-Month Evaluation

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Jeta Kiseri Kubati, Diona Panxhaj, Gabriela Kjurchieva Cuckova, Luis Pablo Cruz-Hervert

 
For citation: Kubati JK, Panxhaj D, Cuckova GK, Cruz-Hervert LP. Bleeding on Probing Associated with Two Different Bonded Fixed Retainers: A 12-Month Evaluation. International Journal of Biomedicine. 2026;16(2):253-258. doi:10.21103/Article16(2)_OA16
 
Originally published June 5, 2026

Abstract: 

Background: Orthodontic retention is critical to preserving treatment results and preventing relapses. Fixed retainers, while effective, have been associated with plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. This study assessed bleeding on probing (BOP) in patients using different retainer designs. The aim is to compare the periodontal impact—specifically bleeding on probing—of two different designs of fixed retainers bonded to the mandibular anterior teeth over 12 months.
Methods and Results: Sixty patients (age 16–25) completing orthodontic treatment were randomly assigned to receive either a flat (FR) or round (RR) NiTi retainer. BOP was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using a standardized periodontal probe. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 with Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, considering P<0.05 as significant.
At 3 months, the FR group showed significantly lower BOP than the RR group (P=0.024). Differences at 6 and 9 months were not statistically significant. At 12 months, BOP was again significantly higher in the RR group (P=0.001). Intra-group changes over time were not significant for either group. The FR group consistently presented lower BOP means at all time points.
Conclusion: Flat fixed retainers resulted in significantly lower BOP at early and late follow-up, suggesting a potentially more favorable periodontal response. Long-term monitoring and individualized hygiene reinforcement remain essential in retainer management.

Keywords: 
orthodontic retention • bonded fixed retainers • bleeding on probing • periodontal response
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Received March 31, 2026.
Accepted May 4, 2026.
© 2026 The Author(s). International Journal of Biomedicine is published by IMRDC.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.