Comparative evaluation of changes in salivary flow rate, pH, and levels in children undergoing fixed and removable space maintainer therapy.

Background: Placement of intraoral appliances such as space maintainers (SMs) may be associated with the alteration of microbial and nonmicrobial parameters of saliva which may lead to the initiation of incipient caries.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the changes in salivary flow rate, pH, and Streptococcus mutans levels in children undergoing fixed and removable SM therapy.

Materials And Methods: The study participants comprised 40 children aged 4-10 years divided into two groups of 20 each.