Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are typically available in four distinct categories of removable, fixed, bilateral and unilateral. Space maintainers containing numerous wires and bands are available while others are comparably simple. The removable variety is exactly as it sounds in that it is removable. Fixed space maintainers are held in place on one or several teeth. The fixed variety is held in place by cementing it in position. Bilateral space maintainers are connected to each side of the mouth while unilateral space maintainers are attached to a single side of the mouth. Our dentist, Dr. Edward Perdue DDS, is here to help you determine which space maintainer is optimal for your child’s unique mouth.

Space maintainers help kids maintain the amount of space that was previously taken up by baby teeth. When properly used, space maintainers make it that much easier for permanent teeth to develop exactly as they should. Furthermore, if your little one’s baby teeth are lost prior to the point at which the permanent tooth starts to erupt or if the permanent tooth is missing, space maintainers should be considered.