An easy method of attachment to an impacted canine.

BACKGROUND

Since many years, various bonding attachments have been used as a mode of traction for surgically exposed impacted teeth. It has always been a challenge to select an attachment considering predictability of the bonded attachment, mucogingival and periodontal conditions of the overlying tissues, and additional inventory requirement.

METHODS

A 0.010-in. stainless steel ligature wire with eyelets at one end and spiral twisted at the other end was made and used as an attachment to guide surgically exposed impacted canine.

RESULTS

Orthodontic guided eruption of an impacted canine of a 16-year-old patient using this simple attachment with 1-year follow-up illustrates adequate amount of attached gingiva.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligature wire attachment is a simple inexpensive attachment that can be custom made without any need for additional inventory, besides being more comfortable to patients.