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Direct bonded space maintainers
V L Santos1, M A Almeida, H S Mello
1State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study found that bonded space maintainers are effective for preserving space after primary molar extraction in children. The appliances showed a low failure rate and maintained space without significant changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Space maintainers are crucial for preserving arch length after premature loss of primary teeth.
- Traditional space maintainers can be time-consuming and costly to fabricate and fit.
- Bonded space maintainers offer a potentially more efficient chair-side solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clinically evaluate the efficacy and durability of a novel bonded space maintainer.
- To assess the reduction in chair-side time and cost associated with bonded space maintainers.
- To determine the impact of bonded space maintainers on the maintained space over a 6-month period.
Main Methods:
- Sixty bonded space maintainers were fabricated using 0.7 mm stainless steel round wire and light-cured composite.
- Appliances were bonded to adjacent teeth following posterior primary molar extraction in 36 children (ages 5-9).
- Space measurements were taken from study models before and after 6 months of appliance wear.
Main Results:
- A low failure rate of 8.3% was observed, primarily due to occlusal or facial trauma.
- No statistically significant alterations in the maintained space dimensions were detected using the Student t-test.
- The bonded appliance design proved clinically manageable for space maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Bonded space maintainers represent a viable and efficient alternative to traditional appliances.
- These appliances demonstrate good clinical performance with minimal failure rates.
- Further research could explore long-term efficacy and patient comfort.