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Space maintainers
An appliance that keeps the space of an early-lost baby tooth for the permanent tooth.
When a baby tooth is lost too early, the neighbouring teeth can tilt into the gap and narrow the space set aside for the permanent tooth. As a result, the permanent tooth either cannot come through or comes through crooked. A space maintainer is a small appliance that keeps this gap open.
How it works
- It consists of a band fitted to the neighbouring tooth and a wire that holds the gap
- It is cemented by the dentist, and the child does not take it out
- It is removed when the permanent tooth starts to come through
- It is checked at regular follow-up visits
Is it needed after every extraction?
No. It depends on which tooth was lost, the child’s age and when the permanent tooth is expected to come through. The paediatric dentist decides on the basis of the examination and X-ray.