1. Each retention protocol should include design and timing as well as the number of retainers.
Problem
Retention
Anteroposterior
Design Skeletal Class II
Maxillary
*Excess→ face bow with straight pull head gear.
*Excess with deep bite→ face bow with cervical pull head gear.
*Excess with open bite→ face bow with high pull head gear.
*Orthopedic and orthodontic retention→ Hawley retainer with soldered extroral tube to Adam’s bridge and
face bow.
* Damon vaccum orthopedic retainer.
Mandibular
*Deficiency → Frankle II, activator, bionator…..
*Deficiency with open bite → Harvold.
*Orthopedic and orthodontic retention→ Hawley retainer with anterior inclined bite plane.
* Damon vaccum orthopedic retainer.
Combination
Damon vaccum orthopedic retainer.
Skeletal Class III
Maxillary
*Deficiency→ face mask.
Mandibular
*Excess → high pull chin cup or Frankle III.
Combination
Damon vaccum orthopedic retainer.
Timing 3-6 month day and night then every alternate night till cessation of growth.
Design Dental Class I, II or III
1- Vaccum retainer
2- Hawley retainer
3- Fixed canine to canine retainer
N.B: in anterior cross bite no need for retention but adequate bite & average incisor torque should
be attained.
Timing Standard period (6 months day and night followed by 3m every night and lastly 3m alternate night only )

2. Problem
Retention
Vertical
Design Skeletal deep bite
 Orthopedic and orthodontic retention by Hawley retainer with anterior bite plane that does not
separate posterior teeth.
 Cervical pull headgear to upper molar.
Skeletal open bite
 Orthopedic and orthodontic retention by Hawley retainer with posterior bite plane.
 Chin cup with vertical pull if accompanied with Class III
 Harvold appliance if accompanied with skeletal Class II
 High pull headgear to upper molar.
Timing 3-6 month day and night then every alternate night till cessation of growth.
Design Dental deep bite
1- Hawley retainer with occlusal rests or anterior bite plane
2- Vaccum retainer
3- Fixed canine to canine retainer
Dental open bite
1- Hawley retainer with tongue guard
2- Vaccum retainer
3- Fixed canine to canine retainer
Timing Standard period (6 months day and night followed by 3m every night and lastly 3m alternate night only )
for adults and till growth cessation for non growing

3. Problem
Retention
Transverse
Design
1- Skeletal posterior cross bite
 Hawley retainer
 Last passivated appliance (Hass, Hyrax…..)
 Vaccum orthopedic retainer with u shape wire.
2- Skeletal asymmetry
 Hybrid appliance (the same appliance used for correction)
Timing 3-6 month day and night then at night time till cessation of growth.
Design
Dental posterior cross bite
No need for retention but adequate cusp height & average posterior torque should be attained.
Regarding the number of retainers:
 In sole skeletal problem: one retainer used.
 In combined skeletal and dental problem: Two retainers delivered one for dental retention wear day time and the other
for skeletal correction wear at night.
 In dental problems: Two retainers delivered one for day time (if requested) and the other for night.
Permanent retention is required in: 1- Late teen crowding. 2- Generalized diastema with enlarged or hyperactive tongue.
3- Midline diastema caused by V shaped suture.
Prolonged period
Is required in dental rotations, where the retainer is worn for one year at least day and night but overcorrection or
pericision reduce the period into standard period.