The goal of this study is to survey retention procedures used by French orthodontists, and evaluate the needs for practice guidelines. The hypothesis is that there is no consensus among orthodontists, requiring practice homogenization via expert guidelines. Similar studies have been driven in others European countries (such as Swiss, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Norway), but not in France.

Questionnaire aggregating 27 questions on orthodontic retention strategies, was sent to a professional list of French orthodontists from health authorities. The survey was composed of eight parts, about sociodemographic status, retention system selection, choice of fixed and removable retention system, retention period, supervision, given instruction and needs for practice guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All French Specialist orthodontists trained in France who answer the survey

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-specialist orthodontists, not trained in France

French orthodontists

No IPD