Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the success of fixed space maintainers (fspms) placed by a sole dental practitioner in a private practice setting. The survey was conducted to evaluate the use of fspms by pediatric dentists and orthodontists. Methods: 899 fspms placed in 531 patients were evaluated. An online survey was sent to 1000 pediatric dentists and 1000 orthodontists. Results: The clinical success rate was 86.6%. The response rate for pediatric dentists surveyed was 43.0% but for orthodontists was only 7.0%. The vast majority of responding pediatric dentists (99.8%) and orthodontists (97.0%) placed fspms. The most common reason cited for failure by the pediatric dentists was cement loss (47.3%) and breakage by the orthodontists (30.4%). Conclusions: Fixed space maintainers had a high clinical success rate (86.6%) and were placed by the vast majority of responding pediatric dentists (99.8%) and orthodontists (97.0%).

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the success of fixed space maintainers (fspms) placed by a sole dental practitioner in a private practice setting. The survey was conducted to evaluate the use of fspms by pediatric dentists and orthodontists. Methods: 899 fspms placed in 531 patients were evaluated. An online survey was sent to 1000 pediatric dentists and 1000 orthodontists. Results: The clinical success rate was 86.6%. The response rate for pediatric dentists surveyed was 43.0% but for orthodontists was only 7.0%. The vast majority of responding pediatric dentists (99.8%) and orthodontists (97.0%) placed fspms. The most common reason cited for failure by the pediatric dentists was cement loss (47.3%) and breakage by the orthodontists (30.4%). Conclusions: Fixed space maintainers had a high clinical success rate (86.6%) and were placed by the vast majority of responding pediatric dentists (99.8%) and orthodontists (97.0%).