Space Maintainer
A Space Maintainer is usually a fixed appliance designed to preserve an existing space. A primary tooth is sometimes lost prematurely because of tooth decay or injury. When this occurs before the replacement tooth is ready to erupt, the nearby teeth can shift or drift into space that the primary tooth occupied causing crowding or a lack of space for the permanent teeth. A Space Maintainer is important to protect the necessary space for the permanent teeth and help guide them into position.
