To evaluate the mechanical properties and bacterial adhesion of the glass fiber-reinforced composite resin space maintainer.

The mechanical properties of the composite resin high-strength fiber (experimental group) and the band and loop type (control group) space maintainer were tested by universal material testing machine. The two types of space maintainer were placed on a plate with a strain of Streptococcus mutans. Scanning electron microscopy and viable cell counts were used to observe bacterial attachment.

There was no significant difference in the maximum shear resistance between the experimental group (32.02 ± 4.315) N and the control group (33.35 ± 5.154) N space maintainer (P>0.05). Scanning electron microscope showed that streptococcal bacteria were attached to the surface of the two groups. The colony count quantity of the experimental group (10.02 ± 2.315)×10⁴ CFU/mL was decreased compared with that of the control group (14.35 ± 2.154)×10⁴ CFU/mL. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

The composite resin high-strength fiber and the band and loop type space maintainer have comparable mechanical strength; however, the composite resin high-strength fiber bacteria adheres less than the band and loop type, and the self-cleaning function is relatively good.