RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Premature loss of primary teeth presents a significant challenge in oral health, with conflicting views on using space maintainers. AIM: To assess mandibular arch space changes associated with premature lower primary molar (PM) loss with or without a space maintainer. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial with children (6-9 years old) with premature loss of a lower PM divided into two groups: control group (CG), without a space maintainer, and intervention group (IG), with a space maintainer. Dental casts were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Linear distance; intercanine width and length; and arch width, length, and perimeter were measured. ANOVA and t-test were applied (p = .05). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (mean: 7.3 years; standard deviation [SD]: 0.92) were included: 14 in CG and 12 in IG. CG had a greater space loss (-0.9 mm; SD: 0.45) than IG (-0.4 mm; SD: 0.61) at 3 months (p < .05). No difference between the groups was observed after 6 months (p = .610). CG decreases space at 6 months, especially with the first permanent molars without intercuspation (-2 mm; SD: 0.71; p = .007). CONCLUSION: Premature lower PM loss resulted in reduced arch space loss after 6 months, regardless of a space maintainer use. CG showed more loss of space when the first permanent molars lacked intercuspal relationship.
RESUMO
Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do dispositivo banda-alça na perda de espaço após exodontia precoce de molares decíduos inferiores em escolares, em um período de 3 meses. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo piloto de ensaio clínico randomizado, com dois grupos paralelos. A amostra incluiu 25 crianças, entre 6 e 9 anos, com indicação clínica e radiográfica de exodontia unilateral de um molar decíduo inferior. Estes foram divididos em Grupo Controle (G1): sem intervenção; e Grupo Intervenção (G2): com instalação de banda-alça. Todos os pacientes foram moldados antes do procedimento de exodontia (T1) e no acompanhamento de 3 meses (T2). Um avaliador cego quanto aos grupos e tempo realizou as medidas estabelecidas nos modelos de gesso. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio dos testes T pareado e T de Student nos casos de distribuição normal dos dados e testes não-paramétricos Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney para distribuição não normal. Resultados: Todos os participantes foram classificados como Classe I, com overjet de até 3mm e padrão facial mesocéfalo. A maioria (64%) teve o segundo molar decíduo perdido. Após 3 meses, o G1 perdeu, em média, 0,75mm a mais na distância linear do espaço de extração comparado ao G2 (P<0,05). Conclusão: Concluiu-se que, embora os dois grupos apresentaram perda de espaço, o G1 (sem intervenção) apresentou uma perda de espaço maior no período de acompanhamento de 3 meses.
Objective: To evaluate the influence of the band and loop space maintainer on space loss after the early extraction of mandibular primary molars in schoolchildren, over a period of 3 months. Materials and Methods: a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial was carried out, with two parallel groups. The sample included 25 children, aged between 6 and 9 years, with clinical and radiographic indication for unilateral extraction of a mandibular primary molar. The patients were divided into Control Group (G1): with no intervention; and Intervention Group (G2): with the installation of the space maintainer. A dental cast was obtained before the extraction procedure (T1) and at the 3-month followup (T2). An evaluator, blinded to the groups and time, performed the established measures in the dental casts. Statistical analysis was performed using Paired Sample T test and Student's T test in cases of normal data distribution, and nonparametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests for non-normal distribution. Results: All participants were classified as Class I, with an overjet of up to 3 mm and a mesocephalic facial pattern. The majority (64%) had a lost second deciduous molar. After 3 months, the G1 lost, on average, 0.75mm more in the linear distance from the extraction space (P<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that, although the two groups showed space loss, G1 (without intervention) showed a greater loss of space in the 3-month follow-up period.