Space Maintainers:

If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to decay or injury, the child's other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant space. This is especially a concern when a baby molar tooth is lost. Typically the first adult molar tooth will begin to move forward and block your child's other permanent teeth from emerging into the oral cavity. Severe crowding can also occur because the room for them is significantly reduce. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and difficulties with chewing or speaking. Fixing this problem after the teeth have moved will create a staggering bill from the orthodontist.

To prevent that, Dr. Maxwell inserts a space maintainer to hold the spot left by the lost tooth until the other permanent teeth emerge into their appropriate space. The space maintainer is typically fixed to the permanent tooth in the back of the space, and is held back by also being fixed into place by resting or attaching to teeth on the front side of the vacant space. Later, as the permanent teeth emerge, the device is removed. And presto! Your child is ready for a lifetime of smiles and great oral health.