An integral part of any mixed dentition protocol is monitoring the transition from the mixed to the permanent dentition. The most common type of malocclusion noted in the mixed dentition usually is described as crowding. Patients with crowding are referred because of the obvious dentoalveolar protrusion or lack of sufficient space for permanent tooth eruption.
Early loss of primary tooth presents a potential alignment problem because drift of the permanent or other primary teeth is likely unless it is prevented. There are different kinds of space maintaining appliances that we can choose from according to patient’s need. Some of them are Nance holding appliance and Transpalatal arches. These are the usual appliances that we used to send to laboratories that even ourselves can make for minutes.
Reference:
Space Maintainers – http://www.bracescost.tv/space-maintainers/
Dr. Eunice Umandal Ramos
MScD Orthodontics
Member, Philippine Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
Space maintainers preserve the space after a tooth is lost. Preserving that space for the permanent tooth when it erupts.