Orthod Fr. 2014 Jun;85(2):217-22. doi: 10.1051/orthodfr/2013060. Epub 2014 Jun 16.
[Article in French]
Pazera P(1), Fudalej P(2), Katsaros C(1).
Author information:
(1) Département d’Orthodontie et Orthopédie Dento-Faciale, Université de Berne,
Berne, Suisse.
(2) Département d’Orthodontie, Université Palacky, Olomouc, République Tchèque.
Bonding a flexible spiral wire retainer to the lingual surfaces of all six
anterior mandibular teeth is a commonly used type of retention. Complications
are rare but can be serious enough to produce biologic damage. This article
presents a serious complication of a lingual flexible spiral wire retainer. Four
years after the orthodontic treatment, a 20-years-old man sought treatment for a
broken flexible spiral wire retainer. The clinical examination showed about 35°
of buccal root torque of that tooth. A cone-beam computed tomography image
showed that the root and the apex of the tooth were almost completely out of the
bone on its buccal side. Surprisingly, the tooth’s vitality was preserved. The
tooth was moved back, nearly to its original position; clinically, only a
gingival recession remained. Orthodontists and dentists should be aware of
possible complications of bonded retainers. Patients should be clearly informed
how to detect problems at an early stage.
© EDP Sciences, SFODF, 2014.
DOI: 10.1051/orthodfr/2013060
PMID: 24923220
