Authors : S Balaji, Neeraj Kant Panwar, Abhay Agarwal, Tanya Agarwal, Asib Ahmad, Nishma Niharika, A Arivu Stalin
DOI : 10.22271/oral.2024.v10.i3c.2004
Volume : 10
Issue : 3
Year : 2024
Page No : 194-197
Introduction: Deciduous teeth are crucial for a child's development, aiding speech, chewing, aesthetics, and guiding permanent teeth alignment. Premature loss due to caries, trauma, or ectopic eruption can lead to undesirable tooth movement and malocclusions. Patient Concerns: A six-year-old male reported pain in the upper and lower front and back teeth for four months. Intraoral examination revealed root stumps in teeth 51, 61, 64, and 55; severe caries in teeth 52,62, 54, 74, and 84; and proximal caries in teeth 63, 73, and 83. The patient was concerned about aesthetics, missing spaces, and compromised masticatory function following necessary extractions. Clinical Findings: Intraoral examination revealed significant carious destruction and compromisedprimary tooth resulting in space loss due to necessary extractions. Radiographs (IOPA) confirmed the need for space maintenance to prevent malocclusions, address masticatory issues, and improve aesthetics. Primary Diagnoses: Extensive carious destruction in primary teeth with associated space loss, leading to risks of future malocclusions, masticatory difficulties, and aesthetic concerns.Interventions: A modified Nance palatal space maintainer addressed space loss. The appliance featured bilateral acrylic teeth for function and an anterior acrylic tooth for aesthetics.Outcomes: The space maintainer preserved the dental arch, supported masticatory function, and enhanced the patient’s smile. It effectively addressed functional, aesthetic, and masticatory concerns,preventing malocclusions.Conclusion: The modified Nance palatal space maintainer offered a comprehensive solution for managing space loss from early primary tooth extraction, and maintaining dental arch integrity, function,and aesthetics. This underscores the importance of effective space management in pediatric dentistry