Revisiting the History of Lingual Orthodontics: A Basis for the Future

The history of lingual orthodontics has not been a smooth one. There was a period of initial euphoria as the technique made its clinical debut; this was followed by a period of frustration, disappointment, and rejection. Thanks to the effort of several dedicated clinicians, many of the issues responsible for this decline have been overcome. We are now in a period of resurgence, the technique has become more sophisticated, the clinical results achieved can stand on an equal footing with the best of conventional labial techniques, and the acceptance of technique by the profession is growing rapidly. The history of this technique is peppered by individuals who have shown perseverance and ingenuity; in this article I will endeavor to cover some of the aspects related to these individuals and their contributions to lingual orthodontics.