Evaluation of occlusal force parameters of vacuum formed retainer with T-scan III

The aim of this syudy was to to evaluate effects of VFR appliance on the numbers of the occlusal contacts, the closure/excursive occlusal force parameters, occlusion and disclusion time during retention, by T-Scan III. A total of 25 subjects treated with fixed orthodontic appliance were included in this study. T-Scan III was used in the analysis of number of occlusal contacts, closure/excursive occlusal force parameters, occlusion and disclusion time. The evaluations were made 2 hours after debonding (T0), in the 3rdmonth (T1) and 6th month (T2) of the retention phase. No significant change was observed in the individual force percentages of each tooth, bilateral force distribution between the left and right sides of the arch, the percentage force in the anterior and posterior quadrants, excursive force parameters on working and non-working sides, occlusion and disclusion time. Occlusal cocntacts were significant increased at T0-T1 and T0-T2. However, there was no significant difference between T1 and T2. According to the results of this study it has been determined that VFR has no significant effect on closure/excursive occlusal force paremeters and occlusion-disclusion time while it increases the number of occlusal contacts especially in the first 3 months. Key words: Vacuum formed retainer, T-Scan III, Retenion, Occlusion