Fixed functional space maintainer incorporating a tenon-mortise connector

Abstract

This case report highlights the incorporation of a tenon-mortise type of nonrigid connector between two adjacent pontics in a fixed functional space maintainer, to allow limited passive eruption and alignment of young permanent teeth. A 13-year-old male patient had lost his lower second premolar and first molar on the right side, secondary to the surgical removal of an odontogenic keratocyst a year ago. A space maintainer had to be placed until implants, or a fixed partial denture could be placed, after the completion of his growth. The appliance consisted of band type retainers with rests on the first premolar and the second molar, rigidly connected to their adjacent pontics (second premolar and first molar), with a tenon-mortise type of connector between the pontics. The casting was composed of nickel-chromium, out of which the pontics were layered with ceramic.