Abstract

PRECLUSIVE PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTICS - SPACE MAINTAINERS: A REVIEW

Shubham Shrivastava, Arun Sharma, Iram Zaidi, Divya Tomar, Abhishek Jain*, Pallavi Singh

ABSTRACT

Premature loss of the primary teeth is a common occurrence in children. In 1887, Davenport described space loss resulting from premature loss of deciduous teeth. The causes for tooth loss can be deep dental caries, trauma or iatrogenic damage, and congenital absence. To avoid malocclusion due to premature loss of the primary teeth various types of space maintainers (removable or fixed appliances) have been indicated depending on the child's stage of dental development, the dental arch involved, and the location of the missing primary teeth. Early interception and prevention of malocclusion in deciduous and early mixed dentition prevents the development of pronounced anomalies in the late mixed dentition and permanent dentition, thereby, reducing or eliminating the need for later Comprehensive orthodontic treatment. This article describes indications, contraindications and appropriate advantages and disadvantages of common space maintainers.

Keywords: .