Space Maintainers

Expert, compassionate care tailored to your needs

Primary teeth, often referred to as baby teeth, serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth that will eventually erupt. When a primary tooth is lost before its natural time due to decay, trauma, or other reasons, it can lead to several complications. One of the primary concerns is the potential for neighboring teeth to drift into the space left by the missing tooth. This can result in crowding…

Primary teeth, often referred to as baby teeth, serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth that will eventually erupt. When a primary tooth is lost before its natural time due to decay, trauma, or other reasons, it can lead to several complications. One of the primary concerns is the potential for neighboring teeth to drift into the space left by the missing tooth. This can result in crowding issues and misalignment of the developing permanent teeth, leading to orthodontic problems in the future. Space maintainers are dental devices used to prevent this unwanted movement of teeth following premature primary tooth loss. They are custom-made appliances that hold the space open, ensuring that there is enough room for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.