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Orthodontics · single question

A patient has rotated maxillary anterior teeth. All of the following are valid reasons a removable Hawley-type retainer would be a poor choice EXCEPT:

  1. The severity/degree of rotation present
  2. Poor oral hygiene (this is actually a reason to favor a removable appliance, since it can be taken out for cleaning — not a reason against it)
  3. Unfavorable tooth angulation limiting passive appliance seating
  4. The need for active orthodontic correction of the rotation, which a passive retainer cannot provide
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Correct answer: B. Poor oral hygiene (this is actually a reason to favor a removable appliance, since it can be taken out for cleaning — not a reason against it)

Severely rotated teeth, unfavorable angulation, and the need for active tooth movement (which requires an active appliance, not a passive retainer) are all legitimate reasons a Hawley retainer alone would be inadequate. Poor oral hygiene is actually an argument in FAVOR of a removable appliance (it can be removed for cleaning), making it the exception.

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