Background:In pediatric dentistry, fixed space maintainers are crucial for preserving the space in edentulous areas following premature tooth loss and promoting the healthy development of the dental arch, maxilla, and mandibula. A vital aspect in ensuring the long-term functionality of the space maintainer is the selection of the appropriate luting agent. Conventional glass ionomer cements (GIC), known for their chemical properties and biocompatibility, are widely regarded as safe and effective luting agents. Despite the prevalent use of resin cements (RCs) in modern dentistry, studies examining the effects of fixed space maintainers (FSMs) luted with resin cements (RCs) on periodontal status are lacking. Material:This split-mouth design study involved 31 children aged 6 to 10 years who prematurely lost their mandibular second primary molars. The left mandibular first molars were bonded with FSM High-Q-Bond Band™ self-adhesive resin cement, while the right molars were bonded with Meron (conventional glass ionomer cement). Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), and Periodontal Probing Depth (PPD) were measured before luting and at the 1-week follow-up. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the abutment teeth using Periopaper® strips before luting and at the one-week follow-up. ELISA was then performed to measure the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin-18(IL-18). Statistical Analyses involved the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing two groups of qualitative and quantitative variables, and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for assessing differences between two dependent quantitative variables. A significance threshold of p \< 0.05 was used for statistical inference.
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IL-18
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