Effects of lingual arch used as space maintainer on mandibular arch dimension: a systematic review.

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of a lingual arch on mandibular arch dimensions when it is used as a space maintainer.

Methods: PubMed, Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane Central, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were surveyed for articles published between January 1980 and January 2009. Inclusion criteria were human subjects, prospective or retrospective method, effect of the lingual arch used as space maintainer in the mandibular arch, and publication in English.