If your child’s tooth has come out too soon because of decay or an accident, it is important to maintain the space to prevent future space loss and dental problems when permanent teeth begin to come in. Without the use of a space maintainer, the teeth that surround the open space can shift, impeding the permanent tooth’s eruption. When that happens, the need for orthodontic treatment may become greater.
Schedule Your Appointment TodayCaring for Your Child’s Space Maintainer
There are four general rules for taking care of your child’s appliance.
- Your child should avoid sticky foods, including candy and chewing gum.
- Encourage your child not to push or tug on the space maintainer with the fingers or tongue.
- Keep your child’s space maintainer clean through effective brushing and flossing.
- Your child should continue to see the pediatric dentist for regular dental visits.
Types of Space Maintainers
Space maintainers can be made of stainless steel and/or plastic, and can be removable or fixed (cemented to the teeth).
Removable
A removable space maintainer looks much like a retainer with plastic blocks to fill in where the tooth is missing. If your child is older and can reliably follow directions, a removable space maintainer can be a good option.
Fixed
Fixed space maintainers come in many designs.
A band-and-loop maintainer is made of stainless steel wire and held in place by a crown or band on the tooth adjacent to the empty space. The wire is attached to the crown or loop and rests against the side of the tooth on the other end of the space.
A lingual arch is used on the lower teeth when the back teeth on both sides of the jaw are lost. A wire is placed on the lingual (tongue) side of the arch and is attached to the tooth in front of the open space on both sides. This prevents the front teeth from shifting backwards into the gap.
In the case of a lost second primary molar prior to the eruption of the first permanent molar, a distal shoe may be recommended. Because the first permanent molar has not come in yet, there is no tooth to hold a band-and-loop space maintainer in place. A distal shoe appliance has a metal wire that is inserted slightly under the gum and will prevent the space from closing.
Thrive Pediatric Dentistry Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐We had a wonderful experience at Thrive with my 9-year-old son, who has generalized anxiety. The staff worked so well with him and made sure he felt comfortable throughout the entire appointment. They allowed him to bring a comfort item and took the time to talk him through the entire procedure so he knew what to expect.I was especially impressed with how prompt the dentist was. My son was never left sitting in the chair waiting and anxious—the dentist was in the room within a minute. There was no unnecessary waiting time at all, which makes such a difference for a child with anxiety.I truly appreciate the patience, understanding, and care the entire staff showed my son. It made what could have been a very stressful experience a positive one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amazing! This was my son’s first dentist visit and I am so happy I picked the perfect office. Everyone was patient and I appreciated all the special little touches for his first visit.
My son has a lot of anxiety in general and was really anxious about having his cavities filled. The team at Throve made it a quick and painless experience for him. He came home all smiles so proud of how well he did.
What a great dental practice! My kids actually get excited to go and I always walk away with a positive experience. Many thanks to Dr. Dianne and the team.
The NICEST staff you will ever meet. I wish all appts could go that smoothly. Dr. Lee is amazing and makes everyone so comfortable.
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