Space Maintainers

The Importance of Baby Teeth and the Role of Space Maintainers

Although baby teeth are temporary, they play an important role in a child’s oral development. They help with biting, chewing, and speech while holding space for permanent teeth to come in properly. When a baby tooth is lost too early, space maintainers can help preserve that space and support proper alignment as your child grows.

However, there are situations where a child may lose a baby tooth earlier than expected, often due to injury or decay. Without the baby tooth in place, nearby teeth can shift into the open space, which may lead to crowding or misalignment of the permanent teeth.

Book an Appointment

Father and Daughter Brushing Their Teeth Together in Front of a Bathroom Mirror

What Is a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer is a dental device made from a combination of metal and plastic that ensures the gap left by a lost baby tooth remains open, allowing the permanent tooth to come in properly. There are two main types of space maintainers:

Fixed Appliances

These are cemented onto the adjacent teeth to the gap, keeping the space open and secure. Fixed space maintainers are ideal for younger children who might not be able to handle a removable device.

FIXED SPACE MAINTAINERS ARE COMFORTABLE AND DEPEND LESS ON A CHILD’S COOPERATION

The same report adds that fixed appliances are easy for patients to adapt to, which suits younger children.

“fixed maintainers tend to reduce dependence on patient compliance, are relatively comfortable”

Kang E-S, “Space maintainer using CAD/CAM system without a band: a case report,” Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science, 2024

Removable Appliances

These are similar to orthodontic retainers and may include a prosthetic tooth to fill the gap temporarily. These are often used for older children who can responsibly care for their appliance.

ORAL HYGIENE MATTERED MORE THAN AGE ACROSS 116 SPACE MAINTAINERS, 43 REMOVABLE

The authors advise hygiene training and regular checkups, so careful daily cleaning matters with any space maintainer, including a removable one.

“oral hygiene is more important than other factors, such as gender and age”

Gurcan AT, Koruyucu M, Kuru S, Sepet E, Seymen F, “Effects of Fixed and Removable Space Maintainers on Dental Plaque and DMFT/dft Values,” Odovtos International Journal of Dental Sciences, 2021

The Space Maintainer Procedure

To create the right-fitting space maintainer, your dentist at Desert Pearl Dentistry will take a mold or 3-D image of your child’s mouth. The appliance will be custom-designed to fit comfortably and maintain the space until the permanent tooth is ready to emerge.

In some cases, a permanent tooth may fail to develop. While dental implants aren’t suitable for growing children, a space maintainer can help preserve the space until the jaw matures enough for future treatment, such as a dental implant.

Smiling Mother and Father Sitting on a Couch With Their Young Daughter Laughing Between Them

Reach Out to Us About Space Maintainers

If you believe your child might need a space maintainer, Desert Pearl Dentistry is here to help. Our team will evaluate your child’s situation and recommend the best course of action to ensure proper dental development.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about space maintainers and how they can benefit your child’s dental health!