What Are Space Maintainers?
Space maintainers are a type of dental prosthetic that are used to maintain the proper spacing in your smile after tooth loss. There are multiple types, but fixed “band and loop” space maintainers are the most common. A metal “band” fits around a healthy tooth, while another metal “loop” sits in the area where the missing tooth used to be. This prevents the tooth from shifting, and maintains the proper spacing in your smile.
When Are Space Maintainers Necessary?
At Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, space maintainers are most commonly used to replace baby teeth that have been lost early. Baby teeth are supposed to fall out naturally, of course. But if your child loses a baby tooth too soon, this can cause their teeth to shift toward the empty socket. In turn, this can cause problems when it’s time for their adult teeth to erupt.
And while they're commonly used for kids, space maintainers are also sometimes recommended for adults. For example, if you’ve lost a tooth and you want to get a dental implant but you’re not ready to commit to surgery, a space maintainer may be used to maintain the proper gap in your smile until you get your implant.
Or, in some cases, space maintainers may be used in teens and adults as part of the orthodontic treatment process. They can be helpful for preserving spaces in your smile, and can be used alongside braces for certain treatments, like correcting tooth overcrowding.
The Space Maintainer Placement Process
Consultation and diagnosis
First, you’ll meet with Dr. Javidi or Dr. Parsafar to get an oral exam and diagnosis. During your consultation, your dentist at Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics will determine if a space maintainer is appropriate for you or for your child.
If a space maintainer is needed, we’ll take dental impressions or digital scans to ensure a precise, comfortable fit. Our team will also explain how the appliance works, what to expect during treatment, and how to care for it at home to maintain optimal oral hygiene and effectiveness.
Space maintainer fitting
If we recommend a space maintainer, we will take images and impressions of your smile or of your child’s smile. We will send this information to a dental lab. This is where the space maintainer will be built.
Once the custom space maintainer is ready, Dr. Javidi or Dr. Parsafar will carefully place and adjust it to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. This quick, non-invasive procedure helps preserve the gap left by a missing tooth, guiding proper alignment and supporting healthy dental development.
Final space maintainer placement
Once your custom space maintainer is finished, it will be sent back to our office. You and/or your child will come back into Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Your dentist will check the fit, then attach the space maintainer permanently to the tooth.
After placement, our team will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the space maintainer and maintain good oral hygiene. We’ll also schedule regular check-ups to monitor its condition and ensure it continues to support proper dental alignment as your child grows.
Space maintainer fitting
For kids, space maintainers are usually removed when their adult tooth begins to emerge. For adults, the removal time may vary. For example, you may have your space maintainer removed when it’s time to replace it with a dental implant, or when your orthodontic treatment plan requires the space maintainer to be removed.
The removal process is simple and painless, typically completed in a single visit. After the appliance is taken out, Dr. Javidi or Dr. Parsafar will assess the alignment and health of the surrounding teeth to determine the next step in your or your child’s dental care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Space maintainers in Rancho Bernardo, CA
How Do I Care For Space Maintainers?
If you or your child get a space maintainer, you can continue brushing and flossing normally. This helps keep the space maintainer and the teeth clean. You also should use a small interdental brush to clean food and other particles away from the space maintainer.
It’s also important to avoid eating certain sticky, hard, and gummy foods. Over time, chewing these foods could damage the space maintainer or even pull it off of the tooth. Make sure you and your child follow the dietary restrictions provided by Dr. Parsafar or Dr. Javidi.
How long does a child need to wear a space maintainer?
Typically, a space maintainer stays in place until the permanent tooth begins to erupt. This could range from a few months to a few years, depending on your child's growth and dental development.
When does a child need a space maintainer?
Children may need space maintainers if:
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A baby tooth is lost early due to decay or injury
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A tooth is extracted before its natural exfoliation
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There’s a delay in the eruption of permanent teeth
Using a space maintainer prevents crowding and misalignment, reducing the need for complex orthodontics later.
What is a space maintainer and why is it used?
A space maintainer is a custom dental appliance that holds open the space left by a prematurely lost baby tooth. Its role is to prevent nearby teeth from shifting, which ensures proper eruption of permanent teeth.
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