Association of Type of Splint, Rationale for Splinting and Survival of Splint, Based on Different Clinical Scenarios with Long Term Follow Up in Chennai Population

BACKGROUND The revival of older treatment modalities like splinting requires the assessment of newer patient centric parameters like survival, compliance, anaesthetics apart from changing the biomaterials employed alone. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between type of splint, chief complaint and survival of splint based on different clinical scenarios with long term follow-up. METHODS The present study was a prospective university based clinical trial with convenience sampling to include clinical scenarios which required splinting in a Chennai Dental College. Ninety-five adult patients were included in the study comprising 50 men and 45 women, aged between 19 - 65 years where parameters like demographic distribution, type of splint, location of the splint, patient compliance and survival were included. The primary end point of the present study was recall of patients periodically every month till 6 - 8 months to assess the duration of survival of splints and associate the same with age, gender, patient compliance, type of splint and rationale for splinting. RESULTS Among the 95 patients included (524 teeth splinted together), all patients completed the treatment protocol, stainless steel wire composite splints were given to 70 patients while composite mesh splints were used in 20 patients. A likelihood ratio of 0.024 (P < 0.05) was seen while associating composite mesh splints, rationale for use, survival time and patient compliance. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of the present study, a conclusion was made that one must emphasise on the importance of retaining natural teeth based on appropriate clinical scenarios where maximum benefit could be obtained among compliant patients. KEY WORDS Periodontal Splints, Survival Rate, Patient Compliance, Rationale for Splinting, Tooth Fractures, Tooth Reimplantation