Space maintainers
When a milk tooth is lost early, through decay, infection or injury, the teeth beside it can drift into the gap. The adult tooth underneath then has less room and may come through crooked or stay buried. A space maintainer is a small appliance that holds the gap open until the adult tooth is ready to come through.
Step by step
- 1Assess the gap
The dentist looks at the gap, the teeth beside it and where the adult tooth is. A standard dental X-ray is taken if needed to see how far the adult tooth is from coming through.
- 2Take an impression or measure
A mould of your child's teeth is taken so the appliance fits well. This is a short step and does not need an injection.
- 3Fit the appliance
A fixed type is cemented to a neighbouring tooth, and a removable type is tried in and adjusted. Your child is shown how it feels and how to look after it.
- 4Home care advice
You are shown how to keep the appliance clean and which sticky or hard foods to avoid.
- 5Regular checks
The space and the appliance are checked at each visit, until the adult tooth is coming through.
- A child who has lost a milk molar early, before the adult tooth is ready to come through
- A child who has had a milk tooth removed because of decay or an infection
- A child who lost a milk tooth to an injury, when the adult tooth is still far from coming through
Your child may feel it with the tongue for the first few days, and speech or eating may feel slightly different at first. A fixed appliance can be sore for a day or so. Brush around it carefully twice a day, and avoid sticky sweets, chewing gum and hard foods that could loosen it. A removable type must be worn as advised and kept safe in its case when not in the mouth. Call if the appliance comes loose, breaks or rubs a sore spot.
Space maintainers are generally low risk, but they need regular checking. A fixed one can come loose or break, and food or plaque can collect around it, which can irritate the gum or cause decay if cleaning is poor. A removable one can be lost or left out. If the appliance is not checked, it can stop the adult tooth from coming through freely. In some children the space is already too small, or crowding is expected, so a space maintainer alone will not be enough. An orthodontist may then be involved.
What affects the cost
We don't publish prices online. After an examination you get a written estimate that lists each item.
Payment by card, cash or UPI.
Questions patients ask
Why can't the gap just be left?
Teeth beside a gap tend to tilt or drift into it. This can leave too little room for the adult tooth, which may then come through crooked, stay buried or need extra treatment later.
What are the main types?
A fixed space maintainer is cemented to a neighbouring tooth and cannot be taken out by the child. A removable one is like a small plate that your child puts in and takes out. Your dentist advises which is suitable.
How long does it stay in?
Until the adult tooth is ready to come through, which can be a few months or a few years, depending on your child's age and which tooth was lost. It may be removed once the adult tooth has come through. Check-ups every 3 to 6 months watch for this.
Does my child need an orthodontist?
Not always. If the dentist expects crowding or a bite problem, they may suggest an assessment with our orthodontist, Dr. Aashka Doshi. See orthodontic treatment.
What if the appliance comes off or breaks?
Keep any pieces, stop your child chewing on it and book a visit soon, because the gap can start to close within weeks.
Questions about this treatment?
Send a WhatsApp message or book an examination. The dentist explains the options before anything starts.