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Simplifying Space Maintainers: a faster, smarter approach

Dr. Ben Curtis writes about how using Universal Chairside Space Maintainers eliminates many of the clinical frustrations and inventory hassles of traditional space maintainers.

Dr. Ben Curtis breaks down how Universal Chairside Space Maintainers reduce time, hassle, and complexity in pediatric dentistry

Space maintainers have been an important part of preserving the developing arch length in our pediatric patients for generations. The simplification of the unilateral spacer has been revolutionized by the release of the Universal Chairside Space Maintainer. The long-standing lab-created unilateral (Band and Loop) space maintainer can have an excellent fit and makes a strong, sturdy appliance. The downside of the lab-created Band and Loop is that it requires a model to be created of the area and an additional appointment to deliver the appliance. This additional appointment can create a barrier for the patient due to time missed from school, hours missed from work for the parent, and additional chair time for the clinician.

Figure 1: Preoperative periapical radiograph of tooth number B with a large distal radiolucency that is approximating the pulp. Patient is reporting significant pain.

This barrier of time was overcome by the introduction of a chairside space maintainer system where the band has an attached pre-soldered or welded tube and a custom trim and fit wire loop to slide into the tube that is then crimped tight. Several of these systems have been utilized over the years, but there are so many pieces that have to be ordered and stored that it can be confusing and frustrating. Some of these systems have bands for upper molars and then bands for lower molars that come in both wide tube sizes and narrow tube sizes. There are plain wires and curved wires that have to be ordered in narrow and wide. There are so many parts that it can make using a chairside space-maintainer system inefficient and cumbersome.

Figure 2: Placement of NuSmile Universal Chairside Space Maintainer to preserve the arch length for extracted tooth number B

With the introduction of the NuSmile Universal Chairside Space Maintainer, many of these frustrations are resolved, and the process is simplified. The NuSmile system utilizes the same universal band for both the upper and lower arches. This eliminates the need for the storage, ordering, and hassle of having maxillary and mandibular bands like other systems, all while still creating a good fit and adaptation to the tooth. There are no wide and narrow wire/loop sizes, so that helps to once again streamline and simplify the process of making them chairside and also having to order additional pieces to keep stocked. The metal tube on the band of the NuSmile Universal Chairside Space Maintainer is also shorter in length than other space maintainers. This reduces the time and hassle of having to trim the tube to make it shorter so it will fit in a smaller space.

By being able to simplify the process of fabricating a unilateral space maintainer chairside, the provider is able to more efficiently manage the chair time for the patient. It is possible for these to even be quickly placed on sedated patients or in the operating room. By reducing the parts and pieces needed to create a unilateral spacer maintainer, the provider’s team will have less to order, less to store, and less to keep up with. All in all, the NuSmile Universal Space Maintainer is more efficient for the provider, less fussy for the team, and a great service for the patient. For my practice, that’s a win-win-win!

This information was provided by NuSmile.

Ben Curtis, DDS, graduated as valedictorian from Wills Point High School in Texas before earning a summa cum laude degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University. He continued his education at Baylor College of Dentistry, where he was honored with induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. Dr. Curtis then completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Baylor College of Dentistry, where he was recognized with the Provider of the Month award and awarded the prestigious AAPD Harris Fellowship. He is passionate about children’s healthcare advocacy and is a Board-certified Pediatric Dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

 

After reading Dr. Curtis’ experience with Universal Chairside Space Maintainers, check out this CE about space closure by Dr. Mark W. McDonough for patients with congenitally missing second premolars in our sister publication, Orthodontic Practice US. https://orthopracticeus.com/archived-ce/congenitally-missing-mandibular-premolars-treatment-options-space-closure/