Aim and background: The lingual arch has been widely used as a space maintainer in the lower arch during the mixed dentition phase, and the open-coil space regainer (OCSR) has been used for localized space regaining. However, an appliance consisting of both has not been previously documented. This case report highlights the advantages of using a lingual-arch-supported OCSR for regaining lost space.
Case description: A 10-year-old patient presented with deficient space available for the eruption of 45. Space analysis revealed a space loss of 3.8 mm. A lingual-arch-supported OCSR was placed to regain the lost space. After 8 weeks, the required amount of space was regained. Further activation was terminated by placing self-cure acrylic onto the springs.
Conclusion: The lingual-arch-supported OCSR was successful in regaining the lost space.
Clinical significance: The advantage of this appliance is that the reciprocal forces from the open-coil springs result only in mesial movement of the tooth anterior to the space, as the lingual arch prevents distal movement of the molar.
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