Abstract: Abstract：　After orthodontic treatment, there are still many factors leading to the recurrence of the malocclusion, so wearing retainers is necessary. The common retainers in clinical use are: vacuum-formed retainer and its modification, Hawley retainer and lingual fixed retainer. This article compared the three different types of retainers from three aspects, including retention effects, patients’ acceptability and compliance, and the influence of retainers on periodontal tissues, hoping to be helpful to orthodontists to select appropriate retainers.

Key words: Vacuum-formed retainer and its modified, Hawley retainer, lingual fixed retainer