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. 2023 Jan;18(1):229-236.
doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.05.025. Epub 2022 Jun 19.

Survival of nonsurgically splinted mandibular anterior teeth during supportive maintenance care in periodontitis patients

Yong Zhang  1 , Ni Kang  2   3 , Fei Xue  1 , Jinyu Duan  1 , Fan Chen  4 , Yu Cai  2   3 , Qingxian Luan  2
Affiliations

Survival of nonsurgically splinted mandibular anterior teeth during supportive maintenance care in periodontitis patients

Yong Zhang et al. J Dent Sci. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Background/purpose: Splinting mobile teeth is a choice to improve the patient's oral comfort. The purpose of this study was to assess the survival and stability of mobile anterior mandibular teeth after splinting in patients with periodontitis undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (SPT).

Materials and methods: Patients with splinted mobile anterior mandibular teeth were assessed retrospectively. Periodontal statuses were recorded at baseline and follow-up visits. Tooth and splint survival as well as splint repairs were recorded. Multilevel Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate patient- and tooth-related factors that might have influenced the survival rates of splints.

Results: Sixty-one patients, collectively having 161 splints, were followed for an average of 5.44 years. On average, probing depth (PD) of splinted teeth decreased from 4.31 mm to 2.93 mm and clinical attachment loss (CAL) decreased from 5.02 mm to 4.58 mm. Alveolar bone was stable in the follow-up period. None of the splinted teeth were extracted, The overall survival rate of the splints was 65.2%. Splints made of composite resin alone were associated with a higher risk of breakage when compared to splints composed of composite resin with mesh grid strips.

Conclusion: Splinting showed long-term survival and splinting combined with periodontal supportive treatment is a feasible option to maintain mobile mandibular anterior teeth.

Keywords: Long-term effect; Periodontal therapy; Periodontitis; Splint.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measurement of relative bone loss (RBL). RBL = alveolar bone height (distance between the CEJ [cement-enamel junction] to the alveolar crest)/root length (distance between the CEJ to the root apex).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Clinical photography and radiography of patients splinted using composite resin with mesh grid strips (case 1, 2, 3 and 4) and composite resin only (case 5 and 6). In the case 1, after splinting and maintenance care, alveolar bone density in the proximal area of 31 and 41 were increased and crestal lamina dura in the proximal area of 31 and 41 appeared (yellow arrows), in the case 2, the alveolar bone density in the mesial part of 31 was also increased (yellow arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kaplan–Meier estimator with 95% CI (confidence interval) of splints until fracture or de-bonding (splinting stability).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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