Pediatric Space Maintenance

When a baby tooth is lost too early, the nearby teeth may start to shift into the empty space. This can block the permanent tooth from coming in correctly and affect your child’s bite. To prevent this, we may recommend a space maintainer (sometimes called a “spacer”).

A space maintainer is a small appliance that gently holds the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. In many cases, we can make and place the spacer chairside in just one simple, quick visit.

This easy and effective solution helps:

• Guide permanent teeth into proper alignment
• Support healthy bite and jaw development
• Prevent the need for more complex orthodontic treatment later on

For kids, we often explain a space maintainer as a “tooth holder” that keeps the spot safe until the new tooth is ready to grow in—like saving a seat for a friend.