Comparsion of visual attraction of clear and Hawley retainers by infra-red eyetracking method

Abstract

Introduction: Since the appearance of the retainer and the degree of its visibility and attention can affect the patient's preferences in choosing the type of retainer, choosing a device that attracts less attention is very effective in maintaining the outcome of treatment. Since a study with eye tracking method has not compared the two common types of retainers, namely holly and transparent, so the aim of current study was to compare the degree of eye focus in two types of clear and hawley retainers with eye tracking method using an infrared camera. Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional-observational study, two types of hawley and clear retainers were made for 7 orthodontic patients in the retention phase and full face images were prepared for the patient with both types of retainers. Images were displayed for 48 non-medical students. For each observer, eye tracking was performed for different areas of the face, including eyes, nose, lips, teeth, chin and forehead. Visit duration, fixation duration and count of observers on each part of the faces within the pictures were recorded and analyzed. Results: In this study, the highest duration of visit and fixation in both groups of clear and hawley retainers was related to the eyes and next to the teeth. The highest number of fixations in both groups of clear and hawley retainers was related to the eyes, followed by the nose and teeth. Also, none of the measured variables (duration of visit, duration and number of fixations) on different areas of the face (eyes, teeth, lips, nose, chin and forehead) were significantly different between the two groups of clear and hawley retainers (all cases P <0.05). Conclusion: Both types of clear and hawley retainers have the same function in terms of attracting the attention of observers and do not pose an aesthetic problem for orthodontic patients.