Abstract
Background: laser welding is proposed to be a safe efficient alternative to silver soldering in the fabrication of space maintainers. Aim of the study: Evaluation of the longevity of laser welded space maintainers. Subjects and Methods: Eligible records of 163 patients with newly fitted 236 laser welded space maintainers, provided in Minia University Dental Hospital, Minia City, Egypt, were selected to investigate the longevity of the appliances for 2 years of function or till removal as they accomplished the original purpose of fitting. Data were extracted from patients' clinical records by 2 independent investigators. Results: Fracture at the band and wire joint was not detected in all space maintainers since their provision till the end of the follow-up (100% success rate). 127 space maintainers were removed as accomplished their purpose and 109 were still in function. Conclusion: Laser welded space maintainers exhibit higher clinical performance than silver-soldered ones. Clinical relevance: The safer laser welded SMs provide a superior alternative to conventional silver soldered.