Patient-orientated removable space maintainer as a decompression stent

Abstract

Fig. 1. Panoramic radiograph taken at the first visit showing the dentigerous cyst around the unerupted right mandibular first premolar. The tooth germ of the right mandibular premolars has also been displaced. ecompression is one of conservative ways to treat odonogenic cysts in children.1 This includes opening the cystic avity and preserving the patency between the cyst and the ral environment using a stent. It helps to alleviate cystic presure, and allows the impacted tooth to erupt spontaneously. everal decompression stents or tubes have been introduced nd used successfully.2–4 However, it is inevitable that the hild will have some discomfort from repetitive mechanial trauma during the treatment.3 There may also be a risk f delayed infection because there is no way to prevent mpaction of food or contamination. Here we describe an alternative technique to minimise he possible complications, which consists of a removable pace maintainer and communicating tube with a retractable ap. The removable appliance can preserve the edentulous pace and recover masticatory function simultaneously.4 The assage to the cystic cavity can be opened when it needs to e cleaned, or closed during feeding, by adjusting the cap of he tube (Eppendorf® PCR tube; Sigma-Aldrich, St Louise, O, USA). The use of the capping system may reduce the isk of delayed infection.