title: Case report: long term lingual arch - preventable iatrogenic damage.
abstract: Lingual arches are fixed space maintainers utilised for the preservation of leeway space in cases of mild mandibular crowding. They are normally bonded using glass-ionomer cement applied to the internal surface of molar bands. As with any fixed appliance/retainer, if molar bands are not sufficiently monitored they have the potential to pose a significant threat to an individual's dental health. Unconventionally, in our example a lingual arch was used as a long-term fixed retainer with harmful consequence to one of the banded first permanent molars. A general understanding of molar bands and fixed retainers is important for patients' general dental health by the prevention of discrete caries progression.
authors.affiliation: The Eastman Dental Hospital, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hemmings
authors.affiliation: The Eastman Dental Hospital, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Noar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000628:therapy*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers / Q000009:adverse effects