They are the space maintainers that can be removed and reinserted into the oral cavity by the patient.
CONDITIONS WHERE THESE CAN BE USED
Bilateral loss of posterior teeth in the mandibular arch before eruption of tooth.
Missing anterior teeth where it is made functional.
Cases where patient cooperation is not a major criteria.
When space maintainer is required for a short period of time.
CASES WHERE SUCH SPACERS CANNOT BE USED
- Uncooperative patients
- Patients allergic to acrylic
- Epileptic patients
FIXED SPACE MAINTAINERS
Are the space maintainers that are designed to be cemented on to the tooth and thus cannot be removed by the patient.
ADVANTAGES
- Patient cooperation is not required
- Jaw growth is not hampered
- Succedaneous teeth are free to erupt, depending on the design.
- Masticatory function is restored if pontics are placed
DISADVANTAGES
- Elaborate instrumentation is required.
- Increased risk of caries
- Some designs interfere with eruption of successor, as with band and bar space maintainer.
TYPES OF SPACE MAINTAINERS
Lingual arch space maintainer Distal shoe space maintainer
Dangerous space maintainers
They are removable unilateral space maintainers. we believe removable unilateral space maintainer should not be used. They are too small and present swallowing and choking danger for children.
REQUIREMENTS
- Should maintain the desired dimensions of the space created by the loss of tooth.
- Should not interfere with eruption of occluding teeth.
- Should not interfere with eruption of the replacing permanent teeth.
- Should not interfere with speech, mastication or functional movement of mandible
- Should be simple and strong
- Easily cleansable
- Should not restrict normal growth and function.