The bonded mandibular lingual retainer.

The lower fixed retainer from cuspid to cuspid has been one of the commonly used methods of retention at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists mostly use the lingual wire soldered to cuspid bands for the fixed lower retainer. With the advent of the new effective bonding materials many orthodontists prefer to use cuspid-to-cuspid/biscuspid-to-biscuspid bonded retainers to obtain optimal retention of lower anterior teeth both functionally and aesthetically. After experimenting with a variety of previous methods, such as the use of rubber bands, elastic threads, cotton pliers, ligature wires and silastic trays for the accurate placement and immobilization of a lower lingual retainer during the bonding, we have found that the use of two 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces of 0.016 inch wires tack welded to lingual wire gives the best results. It is more accurate, simple, inexpensive and designed to save the orthodontist chair time.