Space Maintainers:

Protecting Your Child’s Smile

When a baby tooth is lost too early—whether due to decay, trauma, or necessary extraction—it can cause neighboring teeth to shift, leading to crowding or misalignment. A space maintainer is a small, fixed dental appliance that holds the gap open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in, ensuring proper spacing and alignment.

When is a Space Maintainer Needed?

• Early Tooth Loss – If a baby tooth is lost before the adult tooth is ready to erupt.

• Preventing Crowding & Misalignment – Keeps nearby teeth from drifting into the space, reducing the need for future orthodontic treatment.

• Ensuring Proper Tooth Eruption – Helps guide permanent teeth into their correct position.

Types of Fixed Space Maintainers & How They’re Applied

Space maintainers are custom-made and cemented onto the teeth, ensuring they stay in place until no longer needed:

• Band & Loop – A small metal band around a neighboring tooth with a wire loop holding the space open.

• Distal Shoe – Used when a baby molar is lost too early, guiding the permanent molar into its correct position.

• Lingual Arch – Typically used when multiple baby teeth are missing, resting along the inside of the lower teeth to maintain space.

Caring for a Space Maintainer

• Avoid sticky or hard foods that could loosen or break the device.

• Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing around the space maintainer to prevent plaque buildup.

• Attend regular checkups so we can monitor the space and remove the appliance when the adult tooth is ready to come in.

• Contact us immediately if the space maintainer becomes loose or uncomfortable.

Space maintainers play a crucial role in preventing future dental problems and ensuring a healthy, well-aligned smile. If your child has lost a baby tooth early, our team can assess whether a space maintainer is needed to keep their teeth on track!