Comperison between an aesthetic metal free band-and-loop space maintainer and a metal one

Abstract

This paper deals with the use of a device similar in design to the band-and-loop space maintainer, but with a better aesthetic component. The manufacture of this device is made of aesthetic, elastic materials, which will not compromise the ability to maintain adequate space on the dental arches and will not interfere with the eruption of permanent teeth. The ability to provide greater comfort to the patient compared to the classic maintainers was also pursued. A case of a bilateral second temporary molar loss was chosen to apply a classic stainless steel space maintainer and the aesthetic one, obtained from a thermoplastic material (Vertex Thermosense). The essential conditions that any space maintainer are met by the appliances: both managed over time to maintain the mesio-distal dimension of the apparent edentulous gap, to withstand in time from a structural and dimensional point of view, it also did not disturb the normal functionality of the stomatognathic system.