title: Effects of fixed and removable space maintainers on halitosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study evaluated the effects of fixed and removable space-maintainers on halitosis and oral health of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients randomly selected between the ages 4-10 whom fixed or removable space maintainers were indicated in Gazi University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics. The inclusing criteria were: caries-free (with/without restorations), with absence of periodontal diseases, without systematic disease, no mouth breathing and no use of antibiotics the 2-months period before the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups: the group treated with fixed space maintainers (group 1, n = 27), the group treated with removable space maintainers (group 2, n = 16). The the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), periodontal screening index (PSI), tongue coating index (TCI) records and the halitosis measurements were obtained at three time periods (T1: immediately after application, T2: 1 week after application, T3: 5 weeks after application). The measurement values of T1 served as control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found in the PI, GI, PSI, TCI and halitosis measurements between T1-T2, T2-T3 and T1-T3 in both appliance groups and between the groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fixed and removable space maintainers did not affect oral health status and halitosis significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Çanakkale Dentistry Hospital, 1700, Kepez, Çanakkale, Turkey. dtelifkaya@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yıldızer Keriş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Gazi University, Emek, Ankara, 06510, Turkey.
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Atabek
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Gazi University, Emek, Ankara, 06510, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kahraman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Güngör
keywords: Halitosis; Oral hygiene; Space maintainers