Space Maintenance

Purpose of the Study When a child loses a "baby" molar early due to a cavity or injury, the surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space. This often blocks the permanent adult tooth from growing in correctly. To prevent this, dentists use a small metal device called a space maintainer. This study aims to find out which of three different types of space maintainers lasts the longest, is most comfortable for the child, and is most efficient for the dental office to provide. The Three Study Groups Children in this study are randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. 3D-Printed Custom Group: The dentist takes a digital picture (scan) of the child's mouth instead of a traditional mold. A custom-fit appliance is then 3D-printed using a specialized, medical-grade clear material. 2. Conventional Band-and-Loop Group: This is the traditional method. The dentist takes a physical mold of the teeth, which is sent to a laboratory. The child usually has to return for a second appointment a week later to have the metal appliance glued into place. 3. Denovo Chairside Group: This uses a kit of pre-made metal parts. The dentist selects the best fit and assembles the appliance right at the chairside, allowing it to be placed during a single visit. What is Being Measured? Researchers are following the children for 12 months to track: Survival: Which appliance stays glued in and doesn't break most effectively? Time: How much time does the dentist spend making and fitting the appliance? Comfort: How much discomfort or pain did the child feel during the process? Health: Does the appliance cause any irritation to the gums or surrounding teeth? Who Can Participate? The study includes children between the ages of 5 and 10 who have lost at least one primary (baby) molar early and need a space maintainer to protect their future adult smile. Importance of This Research By comparing these three methods, this study helps dentists understand if newer technologies, like 3D printing or pre-made kits, are better or more convenient than the traditional lab-made metal loops used for decades. This information will help families choose the best treatment for their children.

the objective of this research is to compare the clinical effectiveness of the conventional lingual arch space maintainers with three-dimensional printed space maintainers.

This prospective split-mouth clinical study aims to evaluate space changes in the mandibular dental arch following premature extraction of the lower first primary molar in children aged 3 to 5.5 years. Using digital 3D models, changes in the D space and mandibular arch perimeter will be measured at baseline and 6 months post-extraction. The goal is to determine whether space maintainers are necessary in the primary dentition stage.

Primary dentition is the most suitable space maintainer for permanent teeth. However, as infants often lose their primary teeth too soon, using a space maintainer is the most efficient, long-lasting, and economical way to prevent malocclusions and function impairment in the future. Regarding personalized appliances, space maintainers in digital pediatric dentistry have made significant progress. Digital technology decreases the manual manufacturing stages that take a long time and increases the reliability and durability of digital fabrication procedures.

The goal of this observational study is to define a personalized risk model in the super healthy and homogeneous population of Italian Air Force high-performance pilots. This peculiar cohort conducts dynamic activities in an extreme environment, compared to a population of military people not involved in flight activity. The study integrates the analyses of biological samples (urine, blood, and saliva), clinical records, and occupational data collected at different time points and analyzed by omic-based approaches supported by Artificial Intelligence. Data resulting from the study will clarify many etiopathological mechanisms of diseases, allowing the creation of a model of analyses that can be extended to the civilian population and patient cohorts for the potentiation of precision and preventive medicine.