SPACE MAINTAINERS

One of the important functions of primary teeth is to occupy the physiological space and guide the eruption of the replacement teeth. Primary teeth exfoliation followed by successor teeth eruption is a normal physiological process; interrupting which, may lead to mesial migration of the permanent teeth, crowding, impacted permanent teeth, formation of cross-bites, differences in the median line of teeth, and the supra-eruption of the antagonistic teeth. It is also reported to impact negatively on the children's quality of life regarding the emotional well-being; therefore; space maintenance at the primary stage is a major factor in preventive orthodontics. An early intervention with a space maintainer may prevent undesirable space loss; thereby, this very effort, is hence extremely significant; in preventing the need of any future complicated orthodontic treatment.