A space maintainer is a common term for various dental appliances placed in either the upper or lower dental arch. These appliances preserve and maintain space for your child's teeth. They may be recommended by both general dentists and orthodontists. The type of space maintainer used often depends on the tooth's location and your child's specific needs.
There are several situations where space maintainers may be recommended:
Space maintainers may be fixed (cemented) in the mouth or removable. They may be placed to prevent tooth movement on one side of the mouth (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). This results in four primary types of space maintainers:
The benefits of space maintainers include:
Space maintainers are typically prepared and placed in two separate appointments. The type of space maintainer used and the process to place it can vary depending on your child's specific situation. In general, these are the steps to place a space maintainer:
If the space maintainer is for a child who has congenitally or otherwise missing permanent teeth, there may be better long-term solutions:
If the spacing between teeth is not properly maintained, they may drift or move. This can result in misaligned teeth or irregular development of the dental arches. It may also prevent permanent teeth from coming in properly.
Plan Coverage Disclaimer
Services described in this resource may not be covered by your dental plan. Your dental plan administrator may also place limits on services, or some of the services may be eligible medical plan expenses. Other services may be subject to review for dental necessity. This may affect the services your plan will cover and the amount your plan considers to be an eligible dental plan expense. Consider submitting a pre-treatment estimate before services are rendered. Please refer to your certificate for coverage details.