Can Fixed Space Maintainers Have Adverse Effect on the Teeth and Periodontium?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Space maintenance after premature loss of primary teeth is of importance in preventing space loss and potential crowding in future. Fixed space maintainers are used to prevent space loss but the presence of such fixed appliances near the tooth and its supporting structures may have some adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential adverse effects of fixed space maintainers on the teeth and periodontium. METHODS Twenty young children in mixed dentition period (between 8 – 11y 7m years old) who were considered for space maintainer treatment were selected. Each patient had bilateral first molars that went under the band for fixed space maintainer. The patients were examined for decayed, missed and filled teeth (DMFT), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, gingival index and periodontal pocket depth at the beginning (T0), one month (T1), three months (T2) and six months (T3) later. Repeated measures ANOVA then Post - hoc LSD (Friedman test for gingival index) tests were used to interpret the data. RESULTS As compared to the beginning of the study, at the end of the 6 months follow-up period DMFT of the involved first molars did not change significantly (P = 0.163). But bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, gingival index and periodontal pocket depths changed significantly at the same time frame (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The fixed space maintainers might have some adverse effects on the periodontal structures of the banded teeth, so the clinicians should insist more on oral hygiene instructions and the patients must be under intense oral hygiene control. KEY WORDS Space Maintainers, DMFT, Bleeding on Probing, Clinical Attachment Level, Periodontal Pocket Depth