What the study found
The study found that patient experiences with orthodontic retention and retainers were shaped by several connected factors, including how patients lived with retainer wear and how they decided whether to follow retention instructions. The authors report three main themes: lived experience and impact of retainer wear, factors influencing adherence to retention protocols, and information, support, and decision-making systems.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings provide important insights into patient experiences with orthodontic retention and retainers. They suggest that problems in shared decision-making, information delivery, and clinician-patient relationships were linked to more difficulty following retention protocols and lower satisfaction for many patients.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out a qualitative meta-ethnography, a method for combining findings from qualitative studies to interpret shared themes across them. They searched four databases up to 28 January 2026, included relevant mixed-methods and qualitative studies, and used two independent reviewers for study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for qualitative research.
What worked and what didn't
Out of 1,225 investigations identified, seven studies from four countries with 140 participants were included. The included studies, mostly about removable retainers, produced three main themes and eight sub-themes; the authors report that parental support became less important and reminder strategies less effective the longer patients were in the retention phase, while peer influence could be either supportive or demotivating depending on context.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not provide detailed limitations beyond the small number of included studies and participants. It also notes that the included investigations were published between 2019 and 2025 and mostly concerned removable retainers, so the findings may mainly reflect that context.
Key points
- Seven studies from four countries were included in the meta-synthesis.
- The included evidence covered 140 participants and mostly focused on removable retainers.
- Three main themes were identified: lived experience, adherence factors, and information/support/decision-making systems.
- Deficiencies in shared decision-making, information delivery, and clinician-patient relationships were linked to poorer adherence and satisfaction for many patients.
- Parental support and reminder strategies appeared less effective as patients spent longer in retention.
- Peer influence could help or hinder adherence depending on the situation.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Patients reported challenges with orthodontic retention and retainer adherence
- Authors:
- Maurice J. Meade, Emilija Jensen
- Institutions:
- The University of Adelaide, The University of Adelaide
- Publication date:
- 2026-07-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.