Prosthetic-orthodontic rehabilitation in children

Abstract

Introduction. Premature loss of primary teeth is a key factor in the progression of dento-maxillary anomalies, because it blocks the occlusion, the basic functions and maxillary growthing. Prostheticorthodontic rehabilitation in children is a common aim of preventive orthodontics and includes the space maintainers devices, following the functional occlusion principle. Aim of study. The aim of this study is to identify types of space maintainers according to proper clinical cases. Methods and materials. This study included 18 children (between 3-12 years) with a partial edentulous situation. For the rehabilitation of these areas, according to types of edentulous situations, it was used following space maintainers: fixed and removable, functional and non-functional. The study was realised at Orthodontic Department Patients were selected and are included in the study according to the orthodontic situation. The study complied with ethical requirements, therefore requesting the written consent of the parents or the legal representative of the children. Results. The most frequent edentulous situation was viewed in the lateral area and in mixed dentition. That’s why for the rehabilitation and for space maintenance in this area, removable and fixed space maintainers were used. The more extensive is edentulism, the more removable and functional space maintainers are applied, because they realise the functions of the stomatognathic system. Conclusion. Choosing the type of a prosthetic-orthodontic construction is needed to follow the biofunctional principle. All the details of space maintainers will allow pulp and apex maturation, physiologically resorption of temporary teeth and prevent retention and the bone growthing.