European Journal of Orthodontics 32 (2010) 1–5 © The Author 2009.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society.
doi:10.
1093/ejo/cjp061 All rights reserved.
For permissions, please email: journals....
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European Journal of Orthodontics 32 (2010) 1–5 © The Author 2009.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society.
doi:10.
1093/ejo/cjp061 All rights reserved.
For permissions, please email: journals.
permissions@oxfordjournals.
org
Advance Access publication 14 October 2009
Introduction
Relapse has been defined as a return of teeth to their original
position or a shift in arch relationship at the end of treatment.
The aetiology of relapse is multifactorial and can be divided
into three main areas: physiological recovery, unfavourable
growth, or ‘true relapse’ due to the placement of the teeth in
an unstable position.
Relapse is also subject to individual variation.
Reitan
(1967) showed that the periodontal ligament takes 232 days to
reorganize and can derotate teeth after 1 year.
The periodontal
ligament requires 3–4 months’masticatory stimulation for the
organization of its fibres.
In addition, research has shown that
alveolar bone is laid dow
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