Abstract

GARCIA PELAEZ, Soledad Yanedy; MARTIN ZALDIVAR, Ledia; LAGE UGARTE, Maité  and  ALTUNAGA CARBONEL, Ana. Space maintainer in the prevention of malocclusions. AMC [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.2, pp.193-199. ISSN 1025-0255.

Background: an important aspect in the prevention of malocclusions is the correct handling of spaces caused by the early loss of temporary teeth. Space maintainers are the perfect accessory for this purpose. This preventive technique of easy design and production can be applied not only by the orthodontist but by other professionals like Prosthetic Rehabilitation specialists and stomatologists. Objective: to present the case of the patient to whom a space maintainer was installed. The space maintainer allowed reestablishing the oropharyngeal functions and the esthetics, as well as keeping the length of the arch, in just one work session. Clinical case: the case of a four-year-old patient diagnosed with pulp necrosis in the left superior central incisor is presented. The extraction of the teeth was decided and previous to the exodontia, a removable space maintainer with dental crown and transversal-expansion screw was made. The extraction of the temporary teeth was performed later and the space maintainer was installed immediately. This way, the pathological disease of the patient was eliminated; besides, the oropharyngeal functions and the esthetics were not affected. Conclusions: the technique turned out to be simple and effective

Keywords : ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES, REMOVIBLE; MALOCCLUSION [prevention & control]; TOOTH CROWN; CHILD; CASE STUDIES.

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