Assessing the Impact of Removable Orthodontic Retainers on Oral Health Related Quality of Life: Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

<b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-perceived satisfaction of patients wearing Hawley (HR) or Essix retainer (ER) using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Sixty patients who had recently completed orthodontic treatment and received either an HR or ER were recruited. Participants completed the OHIP-14 questionnaire one week (T₁) and two months (T₂) after receiving their retainers. Self-perceived satisfaction with the retainers was also recorded. <b>Results:</b> The ER group showed significantly lower overall OHIP-14 scores than the HR group at both T₁ and T₂. In 14 OHIP items, HR scored higher in all except "sense of taste" (T₁ and T₂), "unsatisfactory diet" (T₁), and "uncomfortable eating" (T₂). From T₁ to T₂, overall OHIP-14 scores decreased significantly in both groups, with reductions in 10 items for ER and 8 items for HR. The mean satisfaction score (out of 3) was higher for ER (2.5±0.5) than for HR (1.23±0.43), and satisfaction increased significantly in both groups over time. <b>Conclusion:</b> ER had less negative impact on OHRQoL than HR. After two months, most OHIP-14 dimensions showed improvement in both groups, indicating patient adaptation to retainers and reduced discomfort over time. Adaptation was slightly greater with ER, and overall satisfaction was higher compared to HR.