Fabrication of lingual orthodontic appliances: past, present and future

摘要

Lingual orthodontics is increasing in popularity, with more adults receiving orthodontic treatment and opting for truly invisible appliances that do not have any limitations on the type of tooth movement they can achieve. In addition, there are a growing number of children receiving lingual appliances as they have been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of decalcification. Combining this growth in popularity with advances in computer technology, it is possible to treatment plan, design the appliance and have it custom made all with the click of a button. This article highlights the different methods that have been utilized in the fabrication of lingual appliances.Lingual orthodontics is not new. Lingual fixed appliances where first seen during the late 1970s with both Craven Kurz in the USA and Kinja Fujita in Japan, developing lingual appliances. One of Fujita's reasons for developing the technique was to allow his patients to continue practicing martial arts without the fear of trauma to their lips from conventional labial appliances. Kurz' reasons were more aesthetic; in particular, his treatment of Hugh Heffner bunny girls necessitating the need for him to develop a more aesthetic orthodontic treatment technique. However, apart from aesthetics and reduced risks of trauma to the lips, another advantage of using lingual appliances includes the reduction of decalcification that can be seen in patients undergoing treatment when compared to those with labial appliances.