Effects of Prefabricated Versus Conventional Band and Loop Space Maintainers on Wound Healing, Plaque Accumulation, and Gingival Health of the Abutment Tooth: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Conventional band and loop space maintainers are widely used for space maintenance but have drawbacks, such as soldering failures and multiple appointments. Prefabricated space maintainers address this by requiring less time and only one appointment. However, space maintainers may affect postextraction wound healing and plaque accumulation, leading to gingivitis.

OBJECTIVE

This study compares the effects of prefabricated and conventional band and loop space maintainers on postextraction wound healing, plaque accumulation, and gingival health of the abutment tooth.

METHODOLOGY

The split-mouth study included 10 healthy children aged five to eight years with bilateral mandibular primary first molars indicated for extraction. Each patient's experimental side was randomly selected, dividing quadrants into two groups: conventional and prefabricated band and loop space maintainers. Follow-up appointments were scheduled on the third and seventh day after extraction to assess wound healing using the Landry index, and at first, second, and third months to assess plaque using the Plaque index and gingival health of abutment using the Gingival index. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21, for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Overall intergroup comparison among two groups was done using unpaired t-test.

RESULTS

Both prefabricated and conventional designs increased plaque accumulation and gingivitis. Conventional space maintainers resulted in more plaque accumulation and a higher incidence of gingivitis than the prefabricated ones. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in postextraction wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Prefabricated band and loop space maintainers offer a practical and efficient solution for space maintenance and represent a promising alternative to conventional designs.