Laboratory comparison of a titanium trauma splint with three conventional ones for the treatment of dental trauma.
OBJECTIVE
This was to evaluate the efficacy of a Titanium Trauma Splint (TTS) by comparing it with three other devices commonly used in the care of dental trauma, a Resin Splint (RS), Button-Bracket Splint (BS) and a Wire- Composite Splint (WCS).


METHODS
The four types of splints were applied on experimental dental models, including in the splints the teeth from canine to canine of each maxilla. Two load-tests for each device were applied with the dental model inclined to 45 degrees or less, and increasing forces were applied to the incisal edges from 0N to 50N, in the first test, and from 0N to 100N in the second. At the same time the displacement involved of the splinted teeth was assessed and then the ratio between the two measured sizes was graphically represented.


RESULTS
In the level tests the displacements of the splinted teeth caused by the force of 80N were: 0.39 mm for the BS, 0.37 mm for the TTS, 0.35 mm for the WCS and 0.30 mm for the RS. In the inclined tests, the splints under the effect of 40N, showed displacements as: 1.65 mm RS, 1.83 mm BS, 1.89 mm TTS and 2.16 mm WCS.


CONCLUSIONS
With the exception of RS as to rigidity, the other three splints were practically the same in response. Considering other characteristics, the TTS proved to be a promising device for the treatment of dental traumas.
Stellini
E
E
Paediatric Dentistry Service, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Avesani
S
S
Mazzoleni
S
S
Favero
L
L
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003481:Cuspid; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008437:Maxilla; D003765:Models, Dental; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D018583:Pliability; D013165:Splints; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D003188:Composite Resins; D003722:Dental Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium