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The longevity of space maintainers: a retrospective study
1Department of Child Dental Health, Leeds University, UK.
Pediatric Dentistry
|October 23, 1998
Summary
Space maintainer longevity varied, with a median survival of 7 months. Band and loop appliances showed longer survival than lower lingual holding arches, highlighting design impacts on pediatric dental device effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Space maintainers are crucial in pediatric dentistry to preserve arch length after premature tooth loss.
- Understanding space maintainer longevity is essential for optimizing treatment outcomes and reducing retreatment needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the survival rates and identify factors influencing the longevity of space maintainers.
- To compare the performance of different types of space maintainers in a pediatric patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 301 space maintainers fitted in 141 patients (aged 3.4-22.1 years).
- Data collected from Leeds Dental Institute between 1991 and 1995.
- Life table method used to calculate median survival time (MST).
Main Results:
- Overall failure rate was 63%, with cement loss (36%) and breakage (24%) as primary causes.
- Median survival time (MST) for all space maintainers was 7 months.
- Band and loop (B&L) appliances had a higher MST (13 months) than lower lingual holding arches (LLHA) (4 months). Unilateral space maintainers (13 months) outperformed bilateral (5 months).
Conclusions:
- Space maintainer longevity is significantly influenced by appliance type and laterality.
- Cement loss and breakage are critical failure modes requiring attention in space maintainer design and cementation.
- Further research into material properties and cementation techniques could improve space maintainer survival rates.