Lingual bonded retainers: A case series of complications and resolutions

Abstract

Objective:The objective of the study was to describe the types, causes, and recommendations for the prevention/ management of complications related with lingual bonded retainers (LBRs) during the retention period.Materials and Methods:The retention protocol was a combined use of the LBRs made from 0.0175 multistrand wire and bonded on the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth by DuraLay resin transfer method and a removable retainer at both arches for nighttime wear. Nine cases, which did not show bonding failure or fracture of LBR, were described to explain the complications including unexpected tooth movements and gingival problems.Results:The types of complications were spacing, loss of alignment, change in transverse position, angulation or torque of the crown, gingival recession, and black triangle. There are three possible causes for these complications: (1) Active force generated by LBR, which was not passively fabricated or bonded, (2) deformation of LBR induced by heavy biting force or traumatic occlusion, and (3) untwisting force of strand in round flexible multistrand wire. These complications can be prevented or managed by (1) fabrication of LBR on a working model to make it passive, (2) use of a jig to position LBR during bonding to avoid deformation by finger pressure, (3) supplemental use of a removable retainer for nighttime wear, (4) early detection of bonding failure, deformation, or fracture of LBR, and (5) immediate removal of LBR and use of a new removable retainer for resolution of complications.Conclusion:Clinicians should check the existence of these complications from the start of retention and inform the patient of the possibility of retreatment.