Space maintainers and regainers are vital tools in interceptive orthodontics, serving a crucial role in directing proper dental growth. These devices are meant to maintain the necessary spacing between teeth, preventing neighboring teeth from moving into areas where teeth have been extracted and ensuring there is enough space for permanent teeth to emerge. The choice of a specific space maintainer depends on several factors, including the child's stage of dental development, the affected dental arch, and which primary teeth are missing. By effectively maintaining space, these devices can significantly reduce the need for more complex orthodontic treatments in the future.
Preserves essential space for the emergence of permanent teeth
Prevents adjacent teeth from tilting or shifting
Minimises the complexity and duration of future orthodontic procedures
Can direct the eruption of permanent teeth into accurate positions
Early loss of primary teeth caused by decay, injury, or other factors.
Situations that necessitate space maintenance after the extraction of a primary tooth.
Cases in which slight tooth movement is required to recover lost space (space regainers)
As a component of an interceptive orthodontic treatment strategy to avert future malocclusion