Spectrophotometric analysis of color stability of mandibular anterior teeth after placement of a fixed retainer

Introduction: The growing social importance of dental aesthetics has led to increased demand for orthodontic treatments that deliver not only functional but also highly aesthetic outcomes. Following orthodontic therapy, fixed retention appliances are commonly used; however, their potential impact on tooth color remains insufficiently investigated. Aim: To evaluate color changes in mandibular anterior teeth after the placement of a fixed retainer using spectrophotometric analysis. Materials and methods: The study included 20 patients (aged 18–35 years) who had completed orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. Color measurements were taken using the Vita EasyShade V spectrophotometer. A triple-stranded stainless steel orthodontic wire (American Orthodontics) was bonded to the lingual surfaces of teeth 33–43 using a light-cured adhesive (GC Ortho Connect Flow). Immediately after retainer placement, color measurements were repeated, and the changes were quantitatively evaluated using ΔE values calculated according to the CIELAB color coordinates. Results: The mean ΔE values were 0.75 ± 0.2 for central incisors, 0.8 ± 0.3 for lateral incisors, and 1.2 ± 0.4 for canines. All values remained below the clinical perceptibility threshold (ΔE < 1.5), indicating no significant aesthetic alteration. Conclusion: The findings confirm that the evaluated retention appliance does not cause clinically perceptible changes in tooth color and can be considered suitable for use in aesthetically sensitive areas.