PATIENT- AND PARENT-CENTERED EVALUATION OF SATISFACTION WITH FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE VERSUS CONVENTIONAL BAND-AND-LOOP SPACE MAINTAINERS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Fixed space maintainers for prematurely lost primary molars aim not only to preserve arch integrity but also to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction. The most widely used Band and Loop (BL) space maintainers have several drawbacks, such as non-function, poor gingival health, limited survival, laboratory work for fabrication, and multi-sitting procedure, decalcification of the abutment tooth, loosening because of breakage or dissolution of the luting agent, a tendency to get embedded in the soft tissue, and the possibility of metal allergy. Fiber-reinforced composite loop (FRCL)space maintainers are tooth-colored and bondable, avoiding impressions and bulky metal, which may improve patient-centered outcomes. Objective: To compare patient and parent satisfaction, acceptability, comfort, and aesthetics between FRCL space maintainers and conventional band-and-loop (BL) maintainers. Methods: In a split-mouth quasi-experimental study, 15 children (4–8 years) each received one FRCL maintainer and one BL maintainer on opposite sides after primary molar extraction. Satisfaction was assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months’ post-placement using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very unsatisfied to 5 = very satisfied). Questionnaires were administered to patients and parents at each visit. Results: At 12 months, children with FRCL maintainers reported markedly higher satisfaction:> 80% were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” versus only 33% in the BL group. In contrast, the BL group had higher rates of dissatisfaction (≥33% unsatisfied/very unsatisfied). At 12 months, p = 0.03 demonstrated that Group A reported notably higher satisfaction, reflecting superior acceptance of FRCL space maintainers by both patients and parents. Conclusion: FRCL space maintainers demonstrated superior patient and parent satisfaction over conventional band-loop appliances. These tooth-colored, less bulky devices were perceived as more comfortable and esthetic, indicating that FRCL maintainers can significantly improve the pediatric patient experience in routine dental care.