Glass fiber-reinforced composite resin as fixed space maintainers in children: 12-month clinical follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this clinical evaluation was to assess fixed space maintainers for child patients whose missing primary molars were replaced with space maintainers made with everStick during a 12-month follow-up period. EverStick is a semi-manufactured product made of glass fibers, thermoplastic polymer, and light-curing resin matrix for reinforcing the dental polymer.


METHODS
Twenty-three clinical cases presented in this paper were evaluated in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. EverStick was used as part of a space maintainer on occasions where 1 or 2 teeth were lost in either the maxillary or mandibular arch.


RESULTS
This study showed that the glass fiber-reinforced composite resin space maintainers functioned well during a mid-term evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical advantages of everStick include: (1) cost and time savings; (2) no need for a cast model; (3) no second visit; (4) easy to apply; (5) reliable adhesive bonding; (6) no metal allergy; (7) easy to clean; (8) natural feel; and (9) esthetically desirable.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. bkargul@marmara.edu.tr
Betul
B
Kargul
Esber
E
Caglar
Ugur
U
Kabalay
D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D013027:Space Maintenance, Orthodontic / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003188:Composite Resins; C496140:everStick; C009753:fiberglass