Short‐term efficacy of vacuum‐formed maintainer for deciduous second molar space maintenance in the mixed dentition: A single‐centre, randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective To compare the efficacy of vacuum‐formed and banded space maintainers for deciduous second molar space maintenance during the mixed dentition. Setting and Sample Population The study sample comprised thirty children in the mixed dentition (age range, 5.9 to 9.8 years) with early loss of at least one deciduous second molar. Methods This was a parallel‐group, randomized, active‐controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomly allocated to space maintenance performed with vacuum‐formed or banded space maintainers with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The main outcome was any change in mesiodistal width of the extraction space. Secondary outcomes included the lingual rolling or axial rotation of the permanent first molar adjacent to the extraction site and extrusion of the antagonist tooth. Dental casts were obtained before appliance installation (T0), after 3 months (T1) and after 6 months (T2). Digital dental casts were measured using Dolphin 3D software. Chi‐square, t test or Mann‐Whitney and ANOVA or Friedman test were used for intra‐ and intergroup comparisons (P < .05). Results Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for chronological age. Statistically, but not clinically significant space loss (mean, 0.32 mm; SD, ± 0.39) occurred with the vacuum‐formed space maintainer only at the first trimester (T0‐T1). Lingual rolling and axial rotation of the first permanent molar were not significant, as well as extrusion of the antagonist tooth. Conclusions The results of this study suggested that both tested devices were effective in maintaining space after early extraction of the deciduous second molar over a period of 6 months.

Soft tissue lasers: an innovative tool enhancing treatment outcomes in orthodontics – a narrative review

“…Therefore, space maintainers are often needed in this situation, prior to the emergence of the permanent first molar. 14 If the first molar has not yet begun to erupt, soft-tissue lasers may be used to make a tiny incision for the insertion of a distal shoe, or to expose sufficient gingiva to permit attachment/band insertion around it after it has begun to emerge.…”

Arm design of band and loop space maintainer affects its longevity: a patient-specific finite element study

“…Loss of space following early extraction of primary molars commonly occurs in both primary and mixed dentition unless an FSM is used [4]. Space maintainer (SM) placement can effectively prevent undesirable tooth movements that might have otherwise caused malocclusions, such as mesial drifting or tipping [5].…”

Effect of treatment with dental space maintainers after the early extraction of the second primary molar: a systematic review

“…Early loss of primary teeth, because of tooth decay or trauma, can affect the primary dentition, the permanent dentition, or both ( 1 , 2 ). It can cause crowding that may affect a child’s self-esteem and quality of life ( 1 ) and lead to changes in the dental arch such as ectopic eruption of permanent teeth and other malocclusions ( 1 , 3 ).…”

“…The greatest dimensional alterations have been seen after the loss of the second primary molars, which have mainly been attributed to the mesial migration of the first permanent molar ( 2 , 4 , 5 ). To prevent this space loss, interceptive treatment with different types of space maintainers (SMs) has been used ( 6–8 ).…”