Space Maintainers

When a baby tooth comes out earlier than it should — through decay, injury, or an extraction — the teeth on either side tend to drift into the gap. A space maintainer is a small appliance that holds that space open until the adult tooth is ready to come through. At Crystal Clear Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Aesha Chaudhry fits them as part of caring for children's developing bites.

Why the Space Matters

Room for the adult tooth — if neighbouring teeth close the gap, the permanent tooth can come in crowded, rotated, or blocked out entirely.
Simpler treatment later — holding the space now is often far less involved than creating it again with braces later on.
Normal chewing and speech — the appliance keeps the arch its proper shape while the gap is open.

Living With One

Most space maintainers are fixed in place and quickly stop being noticeable. They are checked at regular visits, and removed once the adult tooth begins to erupt.