A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF COMPOSITE RESIN SPACE MAINTAINERS REINFORCED WITH GLASS FIBRES

Background: The primary dentition performs a variety of vital roles in children’s ongoing development and wellbeing. Speech, mastication, aesthetics, avoiding bad dental habits, and directing the erupting permanent teeth are all
significantly impacted by an undamaged primary arch¹. Early loss of the primary teeth is a very common dental
problem. The premature loss of primary molars, notably, may lead to numerous types of malocclusions². To avoid
malocclusion due to premature loss of the primary teeth, clinicians may advise various types of space maintainers
(removable or fixed appliances), depending on the child’s stage of dental development, the dental arch involved, and
the location of the missing primary teeth.
Objectives: This study evaluates the use of glass fiber–reinforced composite resin (GFRCR) as a space maintainer
and compares it with the traditional band-and-loop space maintainer.
Materials and Methods: Twenty children (12 boys and 8 girls) aged 5-8 years with missing primary molars were
selected. A band-and-loop space maintainer was cemented in one quadrant, and a GFRCR space maintainer was
applied in the other. Patients were recalled at regular intervals over nine months, and the caries, soft tissue response,
retention, and space maintenance of both types of space maintainers were assessed.
Results: The study’s findings demonstrated that GFRCR space maintainers outperformed band-and-loop space
maintainers in terms of soft tissue response and caries resistance during a mid-term evaluation. Both types of space
maintainers were effective in preserving space.
Conclusion: GFRCR space maintainers are suitable as effective appliances for brief periods