Premature Loss of Primary Molars

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate changes in chewing patterns and chewing performance in children before and after placement of a unilateral fixed band-and-loop space maintainer. Children aged 6-10 years who require a space maintainer as part of routine clinical care will be evaluated before appliance placement and again four weeks after placement. Chewing pattern will be assessed by observing the preferred chewing side during standardized chewing trials, and chewing performance will be evaluated using a two-color chewing gum test scored with the Orophys Subjective Assessment Scale. No additional invasive procedure will be performed for research purposes; the space maintainer treatment will be provided as part of routine clinical care.

Distal shoe space maintainers are the standard of care for guiding the eruption of permanent first molars following the premature loss of the primary second molars. Although this therapy represents established clinical practice, prospective evidence regarding soft tissue complications and predictors of treatment outcomes remains limited. This observational study will prospectively collect clinical outcome data during routine treatment visits. The aims of the study are to characterize patterns of complications, evaluate outcomes related to patient adherence, and identify predictors of treatment success. Ultimately, this study seeks to support the development of standardized strategies for clinical monitoring and complication management.

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.