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 retainers containing bonded acrylic denture teeth are also acceptable in the interim as they prevent relapse in 3 dimensions (Fig. 6).However, caution should be taken when using vacuum-form retainers with respect to the occlusion especially when only one arch has been treated orthodontically. Open bites, both anterior and posterior, may be created with a vacuum-form retainer as this type of full-coverage retainer may allow selective teeth to overe- rupt and thus create more orthodontic problems. When a patient does not plan to have implant treatment immediately, resin- bonded bridges or transitional all-acrylic partial dentures are also acceptable options that satisfy the goals of retention, function and esthetics. The length of time in retention prior to implant place- ment will depend on the orthodontic treatment that was completed. For example, if significant rotations were corrected orthodontically, longer or possibly permanent retention may be required.