Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Pre-Fabricated and Conventional Band and Loop Space Maintainer on Post-Extraction Wound Healing and Assessment of Plaque Accumulation and Gingival Health of the Abutment Tooth: A Split Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial

Conventional band and loop space maintainers are widely used for space maintenance but have drawbacks such as soldering failures and multiple appointments. Prefabricated space maintainers address this by requiring less time and only one appointment. However, space maintainers may affect post-extraction wound healing and plaque accumulation, leading to gingivitis. Objective: This study aims to compare the effects of prefabricated and conventional band and loop space maintainers on post-extraction wound healing, plaque accumulation, and gingival health of the abutment tooth. Methodology: Split mouth study will include 10 healthy children aged five to eight years with bilateral mandibular primary first molars indicated for extraction. Each patient’s experimental side will be randomly selected, dividing quadrants into two groups: Conventional and Prefabricated Band and Loop space maintainers. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled on 3rd and 7th day post-extraction to assess wound healing using Landry index, and at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months to assess plaque using Plaque index and gingival health of abutment using Gingival index.