When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay, injury, or extraction, the surrounding teeth can shift and block the space needed for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly. A space maintainer holds that gap open and guides healthy oral development until the permanent tooth is ready. At BabyTooth, we provide custom-fitted space maintainers in Calgary for children of all ages, using both fixed and removable options depending on your child’s needs. If you’re looking for gentle, expert kids space maintainer treatment in SE Calgary, Dr. Kari Badwi and our team are here to protect your child’s smile and support healthy long-term development.
What Are Space Maintainers?
A space maintainer is a small dental appliance designed to preserve the spot left by a prematurely lost baby tooth. Think of it as a placeholder that keeps room open so permanent teeth have the space they need to grow in correctly.
Depending on your child’s needs, dental spacers may be fixed or removable, and they can be made from metal or tooth-coloured materials.
Types of Space Maintainers
There are several types of dental spacers; the best option depends on your child’s age, which tooth was lost, and how many spaces need to be preserved.
Fixed Space Maintainers
These appliances are cemented in place and stay in the mouth until the permanent tooth erupts.
- Unilateral (Band and Loop): A stainless-steel band is placed around a neighbouring tooth with a loop extending into the space. This type is ideal when a single baby tooth is lost. In many cases, we can make and place a band-and-loop space maintainer chairside the same day as the extrac
- tion. Other types of space maintainers are custom-made at a dental lab and placed at a later visit.
- Distal Shoe: A more advanced option used when a back molar is lost before the permanent molar comes in. A small extension sits just under the gumline to guide the permanent molar into the correct position.
- Bilateral: Used when multiple teeth are missing on both sides of the arch. A wire runs across the mouth to maintain symmetry and proper spacing.
Removable Space Maintainers
These look similar to orthodontic retainers and can be taken out for cleaning. They are often recommended for older children who can handle the responsibility of wearing and caring for the appliance.
| Type | Best For | Key Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band and Loop | Single missing baby tooth | Simple, effective, easy to place | May need replacement as child grows |
| Distal Shoe | Missing molar before permanent molar erupts | Guides eruption of permanent molar | Requires careful monitoring and follow-up |
| Bilateral | Multiple missing teeth | Maintains symmetry across both sides | More noticeable in the mouth |
| Removable | Older, responsible children | Easy to clean, can be adjusted | Relies on compliance; can be misplaced |
Each dental device is a custom solution, designed by our pediatric dentist to fit comfortably and effectively in your child’s mouth.
How Space Maintainers Support Growing Smiles
Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are essential for chewing, speaking, and guiding permanent teeth into position. When one is lost too soon due to trauma, decay, or necessary dental tooth extractions, a dental spacer helps prevent shifting and crowding.
Benefits include:
- Hold space so permanent teeth come in straight
- Encourage healthy jaw development
- Reduce crowding and bite problems
- Make future orthodontic care simpler and less expensive
By maintaining space now, we support your child’s comfort today and set the stage for healthy smiles tomorrow.
What to Expect When Getting a Space Maintainer
The process is straightforward and child-friendly:
- Dental consultation: Dr. Kari examines your child’s mouth, often with digital x-rays, to determine whether an appliance is needed.
- Custom fitting: A small impression or scan of your child’s teeth is taken to create the device, if necessary.
- Placement: The space maintainer is cemented or fitted in place. Fixed space maintainers remain in the mouth until permanent teeth erupt, while removable space maintainers may be taken out for cleaning.
- Follow-Up care: Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor oral development and adjust or remove the appliance as needed.
We also provide guidance on oral hygiene, diet, and everyday habits (like thumb-sucking or nail-biting) that may affect dental health.
Tooth Be Told
Most children adapt quickly to dental spacers. While it may feel different at first, space maintainers are painless and easy to forget once kids get used to them.
Keeping Kids Comfortable
At BabyTooth, prevention is always paired with compassion. We use a Tell-Show-Do approach, explaining each step, showing kids what will happen, and completing treatment gently. With positive reinforcement and plenty of encouragement, children feel safe and supported throughout the process.
A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles Starts Here
Space maintainers are one of the most effective ways to prevent future orthodontic problems after early tooth loss. By preserving space and guiding oral development, they help keep your child’s smile healthy.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in SE Calgary, call 403-873-1414 or visit us at 290 Midpark Way SE #200, Calgary, AB T2X 1P1, Canada.
Patient ReviewsFAQs About Space Maintainers for Kids in Calgary
At what age might a child need a space maintainer?
A space maintainer may be recommended any time a primary tooth is lost too early, most often before age 9.
Are space maintainers covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your plan. We’ll provide an estimate for you to review, and while no insurance company can guarantee complete coverage, our dental team will help you submit claims for possible reimbursement.
How do I care for my child’s space maintainer?
Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are essential. Avoid sticky or hard foods that could loosen the appliance.
Will my child still need braces later?
Space maintainers do not replace orthodontic treatment, but they reduce the likelihood of severe crowding and may simplify future orthodontic care.
Is there a pediatric dentist near me in SE Calgary?
BabyTooth is located in SE Calgary and provides preventive and restorative dentistry, including space maintainers, dental crowns, tooth-coloured fillings, fluoride treatments, and more. Our dental clinic is warm, supportive, and child-friendly.
How long does a child need to wear a space maintainer?
The length of time depends on how old your child is when the tooth is lost and how close the permanent tooth is to erupting. In some cases a space maintainer is needed for only a few months, while in others it may be worn for several years. Dr. Badwi monitors the appliance at every routine checkup and will remove it once the permanent tooth begins to emerge naturally into the correct position.
What happens if a space maintainer is not used after early tooth loss?
Without a space maintainer, the teeth on either side of the gap can drift or tip into the empty space over time. This reduces or eliminates the room the permanent tooth needs to erupt correctly, often leading to crowding, impaction, or the need for orthodontic treatment later. Space maintainers are a small, preventive investment that can avoid significantly more complex and costly dental work down the road.
Can a space maintainer fall out or break?
Fixed space maintainers are durable but can occasionally loosen or break, particularly if your child chews on hard or sticky foods. If you notice the appliance feels loose, looks bent, or your child complains of discomfort, contact BabyTooth as soon as possible so we can check and repair it. Removable space maintainers should be removed during eating and stored safely when not in use to prevent damage.
