Retained ligature wire and periodontal health. Report of a case.
Routine radiographic evaluation 15 years after orthodontic treatment revealed a circumferentially placed ligature wire situated at the crest of bone on the upper right lateral incisor. The wire was surgically exposed via a modified Widman flap technique and subsequently removed without adverse consequences relative to esthetics or periodontal support. It is of interest that the retention and location of this wire over such a long period of time resulted in no loss of periodontal support, especially since circumferential ligature placement is used experimentally to help promote periodontal breakdown.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography