Comparative evaluation of conventional, preformed, and three-dimensional printed band and loop space maintainers: A...

To compare and evaluate the clinical success of conventional, preformed, and three-dimensional (3D) printed band and loop (B and L) space maintainers.

Forty-five participants in the age group of 5-7 years visiting the pediatric and preventive dentistry department, with grossly carious primary mandibular first molar of either side requiring extraction, were randomly divided into three groups: conventional, preformed, and 3D printed B and L space maintainer groups. Following extraction, the assigned space maintainer was fabricated and delivered. Clinical evaluation for survival and failure rates and gingival health was done at Baseline, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and ordinal data using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

All space maintainers showed 100% survival at 1 and 3 months. At 12-months, conventional and preformed appliances demonstrated similar survival (86.7%), while the 3D printed group showed a lower rate (73.3%); however, differences were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Decementation was the primary cause of failure among all groups. Gingival and plaque scores increased over time in all groups. A significant difference in the gingival index was observed at 12 months ( P = 0.045), favoring the Preformed group. Plaque scores differed significantly at 9 and 12 months ( P < 0.05), with higher accumulation in the Conventional group.

All three space maintainers demonstrated comparable 12-month survival; however, Preformed appliances showed relatively better gingival and plaque outcomes, with decementation identified as the predominant cause of failure across all groups.