[Permanent retention: a justified orthodontic compromise?]

The conditions on which an orthodontic case should be treated to become as stable and as self-retaining as possible are briefly discussed. The correct indications for permanent retention could be found in certain types of malocclusion in which these principles cannot be applied. They are mainly encountered in the treatment of adults and functionally deviating patterns. Moreover, some major problems and disadvantages of permanent lingual retention are mentioned. The terminal responsibility of this procedure towards the referring general practitioner is evaluated and warned for. A short overview of the technical evolution in the field of lingual retention leads to the presentation of a new, more durable modification of the flexible wire system. Some cases treated with this "meshflex retainer" are presented.