title: Clinical Success of Fiber-reinforced Composite Resin as a Space Maintainer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The early loss of deciduous molars is a frequently encountered problem in dentistry. Various space maintainer designs were developed to prevent the loss of the space. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical performance and survival rates of fiber-reinforced composite resin (FRCR) as a space maintainer clinically.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed on 44 children who had early missed deciduous molars. Space maintainers were prepared on plaster models of patients and fixed directly to the adjacent teeth. Survival rate and whether it causes any damage to adjacent teeth were examined clinically and radio-graphically for 24 months or until failure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for the statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 16.2% of space maintainers were dislodged and accepted to be failed at the end of 12 months. At the 24-month control, 52.2% success was stated with the FRCR space maintainer and because of permanent tooth eruption, 31.8% of space maintainer were taken out. The mean duration of space maintainers was measured to be 14.8 ± 3.48 months. There was no statistical significance between survival time and gender, tooth number, localization, and measured space (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After all 24 months follow-up, as well as esthetic properties of FRCR space maintainer, their applicability in a single seance and strength against the forces are determined as the advantages of the technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FRCR space maintainers can be thought of as alternatives to metal space maintainers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zuhal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kirzioğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey, Phone: +902422274400, e-mail: zzahitciftci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Z Zahit
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Çiftçi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ceylan Ç
authors.initials: CÇ
authors.lastname: Yetiş
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000517:prevention & control; D008963:Molar; D013027:Space Maintenance, Orthodontic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; C496140:everStick
keywords: Esthetic; Fiber-reinforced composite; Prospective clinical trial; Space loss Space maintainer.