Once the permanent central incisor and canine have been positioned orthodontically to create adequate mesio-distal space between the crowns and the roots of the teeth, orthodontic reten- tion is necessary to maintain this space and the position of the teeth. While the braces are in place, an acrylic denture tooth with a bonded bracket can be ligated to the archwire to further maintain space and improve esthetics. Following removal of the fixed appliances, conventional types
of orthodontic retainers (Hawley retainers) can be used to maintain the space until the implant is placed and restored.
Removable vacuum-form retain- ers containing bonded acrylic denture teeth are also acceptable in the interim as they prevent relapse in 3 dimensions (Fig. 6).