A comparison of a composite restorative material and wire ligation as methods of stabilizing excessively mobile...

Eighteen patients with mobile mandibular anterior teeth were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups in order to determine the relative effectiveness of two modalities of temporary stabilization. The two groups were well matched for initial horizontal tooth mobility, age and sex. Patients in Group I had their stabilized in the conventional fashion with extracoronal wire ligation. The Group II subjects' mandibular anterior teeth were acid-etched and then had composite restorative material applied to the lingual, facial and interproximal surfaces. Horizontal tooth mobility utilizing the periodontometer was recorded prior to, immediately after, and then at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months poststabilization. Löe's Gingival Index and the Silness and Löe Plaque Index were recorded for the same time periods. All subjects were instructed in oral hygiene techniques appropriate for splinted teeth. The mobility scores for both Group I and II dropped to significantly lower levels immediately after the splints were placed and then remained relatively unchanged for the next 12 months. There were no statistically significant changes in the gingival or plaque indices throughout the study. Three splints required repairs or adjustments in Group I subjects. Six fractures occurred in Group II subjects.