Space maintainers at Woodbend Dental keep your child's smile on track after early baby tooth loss.
Custom appliances that hold the gap left by a lost baby tooth, guiding permanent teeth into the right position.
Space Maintainers at Woodbend Dental
Baby teeth do more than help children chew and speak — they act as natural space holders, guiding permanent teeth into their correct positions as they develop. When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay, trauma, or extraction, the surrounding teeth can drift into the gap and block the permanent tooth from erupting properly.
A space maintainer is a small, custom-fitted dental appliance that holds the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. Placed promptly after an early tooth loss, it prevents costly orthodontic problems later.
At Woodbend Dental, we monitor every child's tooth development and will recommend a space maintainer whenever early loss puts the permanent dentition at risk. The appliance is comfortable, unobtrusive, and most children adapt to it quickly.
Benefits & What You Can Expect
What to expect, step by step
Assessment
We evaluate the gap left by the lost tooth and the development stage of the underlying permanent tooth.
Impressions
Impressions are taken to fabricate a space maintainer that fits precisely.
Fitting
The appliance is fitted and cemented (fixed) or delivered for daily wear (removable), with care instructions.
Monitoring
We check the maintainer at every appointment and remove it once the permanent tooth begins to erupt.
Common questions about space maintainers
Does my child need a space maintainer for every lost baby tooth?+
Is a space maintainer uncomfortable?+
How long does a space maintainer stay in?+
Ready to get started with space maintainers?
Book a consultation and we'll create a personalized plan. New patients always welcome.
More Children's Dentistry treatments
Explore other procedures available under children's dentistry.