A COMPARISON OF TWO WIRE-COMPOSITE SPLINTS HAVING DIFFERENT WIRE DIAMETERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIC DENTAL INJURIES

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 0.7mm and 0.4mm stainless-steel wire-composite splints in management of dental traumatic injuries. A comparative study was conducted at Armed Forces Hospital, Jubail, Saudi Arabia and Farooq Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from Feb. 2014 to Aug. 2016. A total of 73 teeth in 60 children (30 in each group) who fulfilled our inclusion criteria were included in the study. In Group A and Group B, 0.7- and 0.4-mm stainless-steel wire-composite splints were used respectively. Splints were removed on 14th day. Pain, lacerations and tooth mobility were evaluated on 7th, 14th and 90th day after splinting. Periapical radiographs were also taken on the 90th day. Difference between the two groups in pain relief was found to be statistically significant (p value < 0.05). Healing of dental traumatic injuries was seen with no statistically significant difference (p values >0.05) between the two groups. It can be concluded that splinting with both 0.7mm and 0.4mm stainless steel wire is equally effective. However, splinting with 0.7mm wire which is more rigid than 0.4mm wire is more effective in relieving post splinting pain.