Space Maintainers for Children

Baby teeth do more than help children chew and speak—they also reserve space for the permanent teeth developing beneath the gums. When a primary tooth is lost earlier than expected because of decay, injury, or extraction, nearby teeth may begin to shift into the open area. At First Flight Pediatric Dentistry in Edmond, OK, we offer space maintainers to help preserve room for permanent teeth and support healthy dental development.

A space maintainer is a small dental appliance designed to hold an open space after a baby tooth has been lost prematurely. It does not straighten teeth or create new space. Instead, it helps prevent neighboring teeth from drifting into an area needed by an unerupted permanent tooth. Maintaining this space may reduce the risk of crowding, improper eruption, and more complicated orthodontic concerns later.

Space maintainers may be fixed in place or removable, depending on the child’s age, the location and number of missing teeth, and the stage of dental development. Fixed appliances are secured to one or more teeth and remain in the mouth until the dentist removes them. Removable appliances can be taken out for cleaning but require a child to follow instructions and wear them consistently. Our pediatric dentist will determine which design is most appropriate when treatment is recommended.

Not every child who loses a baby tooth early needs a space maintainer. We consider which tooth was lost, how soon the permanent replacement is expected to erupt, the amount of available space, and the alignment of nearby teeth. Once an appliance is placed, regular dental visits allow us to monitor its fit, check the surrounding teeth and gums, and remove it when it is no longer needed.