Patient compliance with Hawley retainers fitted with the SMARTH sensor: A prospective clinical pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the compliance of patients while wearing maxillary Hawley retainers embedded with SMART microsensors. Methods: The sample population consisted of 22 patients who were divided into an experimental (group A) and a control group (group B). Group A was informed that they would be monitored through the use of SMART microsensors, while group B was not informed that they would be monitored. After the delivery of the retainers (T0), the patients were evaluated at T1 and T2, represented by 6- and 12-week follow-up visits, respectively. At T1, group B was informed of our ability to monitor their compliance. Both groups continued wearing their retainers during T1 to T2. Results: During T0-T1, Group A wore their retainers for an average of 16.3 hours (SD 4.39), while group B wore their appliances for an average of 10.6 hours (SD 5.36, t=2.426, P=.027). Although group B increased their retainer wear by 0.5 hours/day from T1 to T2, this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Despite significant differences being noted between the two groups at T1, group B did not show significant mean changes in their wear time before and after becoming aware of the use of the SMART microsensor.