Space Maintainers
Space maintainers help hold the location for adult teeth if a primary tooth is lost early.
Space Maintainers
When baby teeth fall out prematurely, problems can arise if not maintained properly. In these cases, a pediatric dentist will place a device called space maintainers in your child’s mouth to make sure that their adult teeth will grow properly. Space maintainers help “hold space” for permanent teeth. This prevents adult teeth from growing into an empty space instead of where they should be in the mouth–causing overcrowding and other dental problems as primary teeth fall out and adult teeth replace them.
Sometimes kids lose their baby teeth early due to trauma, congenital defects, accidents, or decay. There are different types of space maintainers, so your child’s dentist will recommend a space maintainer depending on your child’s situation.
At Grin Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we can provide pediatric space maintainers for your child to ensure their permanent teeth grow in correctly.
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What is a space maintainer for kids?
A space maintainer is a dental appliance used to preserve the gap left when a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected — due to decay, injury, or extraction. Baby teeth naturally hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing beneath them. When one is lost too soon, the neighboring teeth can drift into the empty space, blocking the permanent tooth from erupting properly. A space maintainer keeps that space open until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
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What happens if my child doesn't get a space maintainer after losing a baby tooth early?
Without a space maintainer, teeth on either side of the gap will gradually shift into the empty space. This can cause the incoming permanent tooth to come in crooked, partially impacted, or crowded — often leading to more extensive orthodontic treatment later on. A simple space maintainer placed promptly can prevent significant alignment problems and save your family from more complex and costly treatment down the road.
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What types of space maintainers are used in pediatric dentistry?
Space maintainers can be fixed (cemented to the teeth) or removable, and come in several designs depending on which tooth was lost and how many teeth are involved. The most common type for young children is a fixed band-and-loop appliance. Our pediatric dentists will recommend the most appropriate type after evaluating the specific situation in your child’s mouth.
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Are space maintainers uncomfortable for children?
Space maintainers are not painful. Your child may be aware of the appliance for a few days after it’s placed, but it shouldn’t cause any real discomfort. If your child complains of persistent soreness or if the appliance feels loose, broken, or like it’s shifted, contact our office so we can take a look.
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How long does my child need to wear a space maintainer?
Your child will need the space maintainer until the permanent tooth underneath is ready to erupt into the space. We check it at every regular visit and remove it once we can see the permanent tooth beginning to emerge. The timeline varies by child — it can range from several months to a couple of years depending on your child’s stage of dental development.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about space maintaining appliances, please contact our office, request an appointment for your child, or explore the other pediatric dental services we provide.