Clinical application of a digital semi-rigid bridge space maintainer fabricated from polyetheretherketone for premature loss of primary molars

Qi Wang; Zhenzhen Zhang; Sheng Zhong; Jiajia Liu; Ying Hu; Ziling Zhou; Caidi Zhang; Shizhu Bai; Li’an Wu

doi:10.1186/s12903-023-03570-2

BMC Oral Health (Nov 2023)

Clinical application of a digital semi-rigid bridge space maintainer fabricated from polyetheretherketone for premature loss of primary molars

Qi Wang,
Zhenzhen Zhang,
Sheng Zhong,
Jiajia Liu,
Ying Hu,
Ziling Zhou,
Caidi Zhang,
Shizhu Bai,
Li’an Wu

Affiliations

Qi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Zhenzhen Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Sheng Zhong: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Digital Dentistry Center, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Jiajia Liu: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Ying Hu: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Ziling Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Caidi Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Shizhu Bai: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Digital Dentistry Center, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University
Li’an Wu: State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03570-2
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background Premature loss of primary molars can be treated with a band loop space maintainer (SM). However, fabricating a conventional band loop SM requires multiple clinical and laboratory procedures, which can potentially affect the accuracy of the SM. Moreover, the conventional SM is unable to fully restore masticatory function and maintain the vertical dimension of the edentulous space. In this current study, a fully digital workflow to fabricate a semi-rigid bridge SM made from polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been described and evaluated for its clinical effectiveness. Methods A total of 15 children (eight males and seven females) between the ages of 4–8 years, who experienced the premature loss of a single primary molar, were included in this study. Digital impressions were taken using the CEREC CAD/CAM chair system and imported into CAD software to design the semi-rigid bridge SM, which was fabricated using PEEK block as the maintainer material. The digital SM was tried-in and bonded to the abutment with resin cement. The edentulous space was measured immediately after bonding (T0) and 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3) after treatment. The periodontal condition and mobility of the SM and abutment were also examined. Results The use of digital impressions resulted in a decreased occurrence of the pharyngeal reflex. The digital semi-rigid bridge SM, fabricated with PEEK, was both convenient and aesthetically pleasing, and successfully restored the anatomy and masticatory function of the missing primary molar. None of the 15 semi-rigid bridge SMs or abutments became loose or fell off during the study, and only one child presented with gingivitis. Furthermore, the difference in the edentulous space at T0, T1, T2, and T3 was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The digital semi-rigid bridge SM fabricated with PEEK was clinically effective in maintaining the missing space and had advantages over the traditional band/crown loop SM.

Published in BMC Oral Health

ISSN: 1472-6831 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Dentistry
Website: http://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com

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