Comparing Conventional and 3D Printed Lower Lingual Arch Space Maintainers for Children Aged 7 to 9 Years A Randomized Clinical Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the clinical effectiveness of conventional lingual arch space maintainers compared to three-dimensional 3D printed space maintainers in children aged 7 to 9 years. The study aims to address the drawbacks of conventional devices, such as the need for patient cooperation, long chairside times, and technical challenges, by assessing a newer 3D printing technology that uses digital scanning to create dental appliances. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the conventional space maintainer, which involves fitting bands and taking alginate impressions sent to a laboratory for fabrication, or the 3D printed space maintainer, which uses an intraoral digital scanner to capture the lower dental arch. Both devices are designed to preserve space in the mouth after early loss of primary teeth to prevent misalignment of permanent teeth. Children will be followed for 9 months, during which their satisfaction and pain using the Wong-Baker Faces Test will be recorded, along with evaluation of gingival health using the Sillness and Loe Gingival Index. On the first day, patients will complete a survey about their experience with impression taking. The study monitors oral health and patient comfort to compare these two methods of space maintenance.

the Objective of This Research is to Compare the Clinical Effectiveness of the Conventional Lingual Arch Space Maintainers With Three-dimensional Printed Space Maintainers.