Objective: The aim of this survey was to analyze the recommendations commonly followed in Germany for cleaning removable orthodontic appliances (ROAs) and to compare these with published procedures.
Methods: A total of 450 randomly-selected orthodontists were contacted by telephone and asked for their recommendations for cleaning ROA.
Results: The most frequent recommendation was mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush (99.8%). Chemical detergents (37.1%) and treatment with diluted vinegar or citric acid (30.5%) were mentioned less often.
Conclusion: The use of cleaning solutions was recommended comparatively infrequently, even though the scientific literature suggests that this is the most hygienic way to care for ROA.