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.