Success of reinforced fiber material space maintainers.
OBJECTIVE
Various space maintainers are used in pediatric dentistry. However, their construction requires time-consuming laboratory procedures. Recently, fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) have been introduced and used in different branches of dentistry. The objective of this study was to assess long-term results for a newly developed space maintainer as an alternative procedure for practitioners.


METHODS
This study used Splint-it (Jeneric/Pentron, Wallingford, Conn), a FRC, to prepare a newly developed space maintainer chairside in 1 appointment. A total of 40 space maintainers were applied to 29 children (14 girls, 15 boys) between 7 to 14 years old (mean +/- SD = 10 years, 1 month +/- 1 year, 11 months) to protect the space of their early extracted first and second primary molar teeth. For 4 children, space maintainers were prepared with artificial teeth to restore the anterior teeth loss, which occurred due to trauma. To protect the space until the fixed partial dentures were constructed, 5 space maintainers were applied to 3 children who had 2 permanent first molar teeth extracted. Appliances were observed for up to 2 years.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (73%) space maintainers were dislodged at the end of the sixth month. The space maintainers placed on primary teeth (1 or both abutments) showed the highest failure rate (94%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that Splint-it space maintainers can be accepted as successful appliances only for short periods. Prolonged use of this material for space maintenance in children must be further evaluated.
Kirzioğlu
Zuhal
Z
Department of Pedodontics, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. zuhal@med.sdu.edu.tr
Ertürk
M Semra Ozay
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D013027:Space Maintenance, Orthodontic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003188:Composite Resins; C009753:fiberglass; C113549:splint-It, FRC material