Letters to the Editor

It was wonderful to see the Hawlix, an aesthetic and prosthetic orthodontic retainer that we previously introduced for patients with bounded saddles,^1,2 featured in a recent narrative review.³

Adherence with the wearing of removable retainers is a patient's responsibility; any deviation from the agreed retention regimen can contribute to relapse, which is a disappointing and potentially costly outcome for both patients and clinicians. Performance of optimal dental behaviours, such as retainer wear and regular toothbrushing, are strongly associated with patient satisfaction and socio-demographic variables.^4,5 While the latter are unlikely to be influenceable by clinicians, we have the possibility of guiding our patients in making the best decisions possible, thereby increasing their satisfaction and in turn their adherence.

Retainer design has been purported to influence adherence to retainer regimens.⁶ It is therefore important that we clearly explain all retainer options to patients, highlighting their advantages and limitations, as part of the shared decision-making process when obtaining informed consent. Patient-centred outcomes were central to the development of the Hawlix, namely improved aesthetics, unimpeded speech, quicker insertion after debonding, and the possibility of wearing it during eating, when compared to the modified-Hawley.² Given the choice, patients prefer the Hawlix, particularly as it can remain in situ for eating and drinking, thus saving the patient from social embarrassment that would otherwise be encountered when using alternative retainers.