EC Dental Science

Introduction: It is always in the best interest of dentists to restore and retain defective primary dentition until it is time for their exfoliation. At the same, we hope that subsequent permanent dentition arises at just the right time. Nevertheless, many children either lose their primary teeth early, or there's a delayed eruption of permanent teeth. Such premature loss of primary dentition compromises the arch length and leads to malocclusions and tooth impactions. Interceptive orthodontic therapy with space maintainers can prevent such malocclusions caused by premature tooth losses [1].

Aim of Work: The aim of this study is to describe various types of space maintainer appliances used in pediatric dentistry.

Materials and Methods: This review is a comprehensive search of PUBMED from the year 1978 to 2020.

Conclusion: The untimely loss of a primary tooth can influence dental crowding, rotation, and impactions which can lead to malocclusions. Managing malocclusion in adulthood may require extensive orthodontic and surgical therapy. Space maintainer devices can intercept certain malocclusion in childhood if used at the appropriate time. Space maintainer devices come in various shapes and sizes, and each is used according to the problem encountered. They come as both removable and fixed as well as unilateral and bilateral. Conventional ones are designed and manufactured by hand in the lab, whereas CAD-CAM appliances are made using computer assistance. CAD-CAM appliances do have several advantages over conventional ones, and we may see their increased usage in the future.

Keywords: Space Maintainers; Band and Loop; Distal Shoe Space Maintainer; Lingual Arch; Nance Appliance; Transpalatal Arch; Digitainers

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