Essix Retainer — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: C — A removable clear plastic retainer without wires that fits over the teeth
An Essix retainer is a removable, clear thermoplastic appliance that closely covers the teeth to maintain their positions after active orthodontic treatment. Therefore, C is correct. A lingually bonded wire is a fixed retainer, not an Essix retainer. An acrylic plate retained by clasps describes a conventional removable plate, such as a Hawley-type appliance, rather than a clear vacuum-formed retainer. Functional appliances are used principally to alter the dental and jaw relationship during growth, while headgear is an extraoral appliance used for traction or anchorage. These are active orthodontic appliances rather than post-treatment Essix retainers.
Reference: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Wearing a retainer after brace treatment to keep your teeth in their new position, reviewed May 2024. https://yourhealth.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/library/musculoskeletal-specialist-surgery-mss/restorative-dentistry-orthodontics/1656-wearing-a-retainer-after-brace-treatment-to-keep-your-teeth-in-their-new-position/file