Space Maintainers
Protecting Development
When a baby tooth is lost too early, a space maintainer preserves the space your child's permanent tooth needs — preventing costly alignment problems down the road.
Protecting Development
When a baby tooth is lost too early, a space maintainer preserves the space your child's permanent tooth needs — preventing costly alignment problems down the road.
Reserve the Space
Your Child Needs
Baby teeth serve as natural space holders for permanent teeth developing beneath them. When a baby tooth is lost too early — whether from decay, injury, or early eruption — the neighbouring teeth drift into the empty space over time.
This blocks or misaligns the incoming permanent tooth, often requiring orthodontic treatment that could have been avoided entirely. A space maintainer is a small, simple appliance placed immediately after the premature loss to hold that space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
- Baby tooth lost more than a year before expected permanent tooth eruption
- Multiple teeth lost in the same area
- Tooth knocked out due to injury
- Tooth extracted due to severe decay or abscess
- Space loss has already begun (teeth starting to drift)
Finding the Right
Appliance for Your Child
Fixed Space Maintainers
Cemented onto the tooth next to the gap — most common for single-tooth spaces in the back of the mouth. Made of stainless steel or tooth-coloured materials. Cannot be removed by the child, ensuring consistent protection without relying on patient cooperation.
Removable Space Maintainers
Similar to a retainer, used for older children who can be trusted to wear and care for it. A better aesthetic option for some situations, but requires patient cooperation and careful handling to be effective.
A Small Appliance with
Long-Term Impact
Prevents Drifting
Adjacent teeth are held in position so the permanent tooth has a clear, unobstructed path to erupt naturally.
Avoids Orthodontics
Many cases of crowding that require braces could have been prevented with a space maintainer placed at the right time.
Simple & Comfortable
The appliance is small, unobtrusive, and most children adapt to it within days — it doesn't interfere with daily life.
Removed When Ready
The maintainer is removed as soon as the permanent tooth begins to erupt — monitored and managed at every recall appointment.
From Assessment
To Placement
01
Assessment
We evaluate x-rays to confirm the permanent tooth bud is present beneath the gum and estimate when it will erupt into position.
02
Impressions
A quick impression of the area is taken to fabricate a precisely fitted maintainer — tailored exactly to your child's mouth.
03
Placement
The appliance is cemented into place at a short follow-up appointment — no needles required, quick and comfortable.
04
Monitoring
We check the maintainer at every recall appointment and remove it as soon as the permanent tooth begins erupting into the maintained space.
Common Questions
How soon after losing a tooth does a space maintainer need to be placed?
As soon as possible — ideally within weeks. Teeth begin shifting into the space quickly, especially in children whose jaws are actively growing. The longer you wait, the more space is lost.
How long does my child wear a space maintainer?
Until the permanent tooth begins to erupt into the maintained space. This could be months or years depending on the child's age when the tooth was lost — we monitor progress at every check-up.
Will my child be able to eat and talk normally?
Yes. After a brief adjustment period, most children don't notice the appliance. Sticky foods (gummy bears, caramel) should be avoided as they can dislodge fixed maintainers.
Protect Their Smile's Future
A space maintainer today can save your child from years of orthodontic treatment tomorrow.