‘Single Visit’ Fixed Space Maintainer
- 1. Department of Orthodontics, Maharashtra University of Health sciences, India
INTRODUCTION
Premature loss of deciduous tooth results in drifting of adjacent teeth in to edentulous space along with arch length reduction, leading to malocclusion. The preservation of arch length in all stages of dentition is important for the normal development of occlusion. Meticulous attention of various factors are required in decision of planning space maintainer, which help in restoring normal function and eruption of succeeding permanent teeth [1]. Conventional appliances required to be modified according to the needs of patient. No design of fixed space maintainer is common and versatile for its use at different intraoral locations [2]. Most of the space maintainers require indirect fabrication, soldering, welding, cementation or multiple visits. This paper describes a new design of fixed space maintainer in cases of loss of any deciduous tooth where two adjacent teeth have erupted partially or completely [3-6].Fabrication and clinical application of ‘single step fixed space maintainer’ is described here.
MATERIALS FOR APPLIANCE FABRICATION
• 0.020” stainless steel wire
• Stainless steel closed coil spring
• 0.010” ligature wire
• Light cure composite cement
DESCRIPTION OF APPLIANCE AND FABRICATION
Mesio-distal edentulous span is measured with caliper and space maintainer framework fabricated accordingly to fit mesial and distal contours (Figure 1A).
Molar (distal) contour prepared in 0.020” stainless steel wire? and further bent towards edentulous span to form buccal and lingual guide wires (Figure 1B).
Desired length of stainless steel closed coil springsψ inserted over both guide wires (Figure 1C).
Guide wires bent towards each other and mesial contour given to them. Extra wire is cut to forms the frame of space maintainer (Figure. 1D, Figure 1E).
0.010” ligature wire woven through the closed coil spring in the direction as shown by arrow (Figure 1F). Frame fitted into edentulous span and closed loop of ligature encircled around molar crown, free ends pulled tightly and one (lingual) ligature wire passed through gingival embrasure around adjacent tooth. Both free ligature ends pulled at mesiobuccal line angle of premolar (Figure 2A, Figure 2B).
Twisting of ligature wires tighten the grip of space maintainer on both teeth and stabilizes it.
Ligature wire encircled around teeth is bonded with light cure composite cement. Bonding ligature wire on palatal and buccal surface of both teeth prevents slippage of ligature wire in occluso-cervical direction on tooth surface (Figure 2C).
Citation
Vibhute PJ (2017) ‘Single Visit’ Fixed Space Maintainer. JSM Dent 5(2): 1086
CASE DISCUSSION
11 year old male child patient reported with premature loss of mandibular second deciduous molar unilaterally. Radiograph shown the presence of succeeding second premolar, but has completed 1/3rd root completion. Case was indication for fixed space maintainer and fabricated chair side as per above description. Appliance is placed, ligature wire encircled around adjacent teeth and twisted and tucked. Ligature wire also bonded with light cure composite cement on buccal aspects of adjacent teeth. Appliance was very comfortable for patient, none of complaint reported with this appliance (Figure 3A-3C, Figure 4). Additionally, flexibility offered by ligature wire provides individual tooth movement and eruptive occlusal adjustment secondary to alveolar growth.
ADVANTAGES
It offers the advantages such as,
1. Functional appliance therapy can carried out
simultaneously along with this space maintainer.
2. Quick chair-side fabrication and easier placement same
day is possible.
3. Concept and design of this space maintainer is universal
and can be applied at anterior or posterior locations.
4. It is hygienic and less traumatic to patient.
5. It has good durability.
6. It is more economic.
CONCLUSION
This fixed space maintainer is easy to fabricate, quick to deliver and comfortable for patient.
