A lingual arch is a stainless steel wire that usually fits closely to the lingual surface of the teeth and is held in place by bands on the molars, bicuspids, or cuspids. Lingual arch wires can be attached to the bands in several ways: 1) For simple space maintaining devices, the arch wire can be soldered directly to the bands. 2) If the arch wire has adjustment loops, or soldered lingual lap springs, the arch wire can be attached to the molar bands with either horizontal or vertical lingual sheaths. This allows the arch wire to easily be removed and replaced when adjustments are necessary.