Case report: long term lingual arch - preventable iatrogenic damage

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.