space maintainers

Space maintainers are dental devices used to preserve the gap left by a missing tooth, especially in children. When a primary tooth is lost prematurely, neighboring teeth may shift into the empty space, leading to alignment issues or overcrowding as adult teeth develop. The space maintainer holds this space open, ensuring proper alignment and spacing for permanent teeth to erupt correctly. These devices can be fixed (cemented in place) or removable, and their use helps prevent future dental problems, facilitating healthy development of the child's bite and jaw structure.