Band and Loop Space Maintainer
One of the most common types, used when a single baby tooth is lost.
A small metal band is placed around a nearby tooth, with a loop that holds the space open for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.
Guiding Little Teeth into Their Perfect Place
When a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, the surrounding teeth naturally begin to shift into the empty space. This can block the permanent tooth from coming in correctly and lead to future crowding or misalignment. A space maintainer helps protect that space and guides your child’s smile as it grows.
A space maintainer is a small, custom-made appliance that keeps the proper space open when a baby tooth is lost earlier than it should be. Its role is simple: prevent nearby teeth from drifting into the empty space and blocking the permanent tooth’s path.
Space maintainer treatment gently guides your child’s developing smile and helps ensure that permanent teeth grow into their correct positions. This reduces the risk of crowding, misalignment, and the need for more complex orthodontic treatment later on. It’s a safe, comfortable, and effective way to protect your child’s oral development during their most important growing years.
One of the most common types, used when a single baby tooth is lost.
A small metal band is placed around a nearby tooth, with a loop that holds the space open for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.
Used when the supporting tooth is too damaged for a simple band. A stainless-steel crown is first placed on the supporting tooth, and a loop is added to maintain the space.
This option provides extra strength and stability.
Ideal when several baby teeth are missing on the lower jaw. A metal wire runs along the inside (tongue side) of the lower teeth, keeping the arch form stable and preventing the lower molars from drifting forward.
Used in the upper jaw to prevent molars from moving forward. It includes a small acrylic button that rests on the roof of the mouth, connected to bands on the molars.
This appliance helps maintain space when multiple upper baby teeth are lost early.
A fixed appliance placed on the upper molars with a bar that extends across the palate.
Unlike the Nance, it doesn’t touch the roof of the mouth. Its main purpose is to keep the molars in place and maintain symmetry of the upper arch.
Used when a baby molar is lost before the first permanent molar has erupted.
A small metal extension guides the unerupted permanent molar into the correct position.
This is a more specialized appliance, used only when necessary for proper tooth guidance.
We begin with a careful assessment to understand why the tooth was lost and whether a space maintainer is really needed.
During this phase, we:
Examine your child’s teeth and bite to see if the tooth loss was premature
Check for crowding, alignment and arch shape
Take dental X-rays (if required) to see:
Based on this, we decide if:
Space is likely to be lost without treatment
The permanent tooth is not about to erupt very soon
Your child’s oral hygiene and tooth condition allow for a fixed appliance
If a space maintainer is needed, we’ll discuss the most suitable type with you
(such as a band & loop, lingual arch, Nance appliance, distal shoe, etc.), depending on:
Which tooth or teeth are missing
Whether it’s the upper or lower jaw
Whether the permanent molar has already erupted
Before moving on, we also make sure the mouth is ready by:
Cleaning the teeth
Treating any cavities
Ensuring the supporting tooth (abutment tooth) is healthy and strong enough to hold the appliance
Once we’ve decided on the right type of space maintainer, we move on to designing and making the appliance.
This phase usually includes:
1. Band Selection and Fitting
We place a small metal band around the supporting tooth to see which size fits best.
It should feel snug and secure, without pressing on the gums or causing discomfort.
2. Dental Impression
With the band in the right position, we take a dental impression (a mould of your child’s teeth).
This impression captures the exact shape of the teeth and space, so the space maintainer can be made to fit precisely.
3. Laboratory Fabrication
Using the impression, our dental lab creates a custom-made space maintainer.
The design depends on the type we selected:
The appliance is then finished, smoothed, and polished for maximum comfort before it’s ready to be fitted.
When the appliance is ready, your child returns for fitting and final placement.
1. Try-In and Adjustment
We gently place the space maintainer in the mouth and check:
Small adjustments are made if needed to ensure comfort and stability.
2. Permanent Cementation
Once everything fits well, we:
This step ensures the space maintainer stays firmly attached during daily eating and brushing.
3. Instructions for Parents and Children
Before you leave, we explain clearly:
4. Regular Follow-Up
We schedule review appointments to:
Typically, we’ll review after the initial fitting and then every 4–6 months as part of your child’s regular check-ups. The space maintainer is removed once the permanent tooth is ready to come through, or when it has done its job and the space is no longer at risk.
Choosing the right dentist for your child is important — especially when it comes to guiding their growing teeth. Parents trust Dr. Mobaraki because she combines gentle pediatric care with advanced techniques to ensure every child feels safe, calm, and comfortable throughout their treatment.
With a deep understanding of children’s dental development, she carefully evaluates each case, selects the right appliance, and follows a personalised approach that protects your child’s smile as they grow. From the first consultation to regular follow-ups, Dr. Mobaraki is committed to providing care that is thorough, reassuring, and truly child-focused.
Space maintainers are recommended when a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, and the permanent tooth is not ready to come in yet. Early tooth loss creates an empty space, and without support, nearby teeth naturally begin to drift into it — leading to crowding, misalignment, or blocked eruption of the permanent tooth.
Here are the most common situations where a space maintainer is needed:
Whether due to decay, injury, or extraction, losing a baby tooth too soon puts the space at risk. A space maintainer keeps that space open until the adult tooth is ready.
When more than one baby tooth is missing, the chances of teeth shifting increase significantly. Appliances like lingual arches or Nance appliances help maintain proper spacing in these cases.
If the adult tooth is still far from the surface based on X-rays, a space maintainer prevents the surrounding teeth from collapsing into the area.
Space maintainers reduce the risk of:
Keeping the space open now can reduce the need for braces later.
If a baby tooth needed to be removed due to extensive decay, a space maintainer helps protect alignment while the mouth heals and the permanent tooth develops.
Space maintainers play an important role in guiding your child’s developing smile. When a baby tooth is lost too early, these small appliances help protect the space and ensure permanent teeth grow into the correct position. Here are the key benefits:
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, surrounding teeth naturally drift into the empty space. A space maintainer keeps this space open, preventing unwanted movement and protecting proper alignment.
By holding the space, the appliance guides the permanent tooth so it grows into its correct place. This supports healthy bite development and reduces the chance of teeth becoming blocked or impacted.
Space maintainers can significantly lower the likelihood of needing braces later. By preserving natural spacing now, they help prevent crowding, overlapping, and misalignment in the future.
Proper spacing helps the jaws develop normally. A well-preserved dental arch supports correct chewing, speech, and proper development of facial muscles.
Without a space maintainer, early tooth loss can create bite issues such as crossbite, open bite, or midline shift. A space maintainer keeps everything stable while your child grows.
Space maintainers are small, safe, and custom-made for each child. Once in place, most children adapt quickly and barely feel them — making it a comfortable, low-maintenance treatment with long-lasting benefits.
A space maintainer is needed when a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected due to decay, injury, or extraction. Without it, nearby teeth can shift into the empty space and block the permanent tooth from coming in properly. This can lead to crowding, misalignment, or longer orthodontic treatment later on.
Space maintainers hold the open space left by a missing baby tooth and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting. They stay in place until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. By maintaining the correct spacing, they guide the adult tooth into its natural position and help keep the bite aligned as your child grows.
No — wearing a space maintainer does not hurt. Your child might feel a little pressure or tightness during the first day or two as their mouth gets used to the appliance, but this is completely normal and passes quickly. Most children forget they even have one after a few days.
Many dental insurance plans partially or fully cover space maintainers because they are considered a preventive treatment. Coverage depends on your specific insurance provider and policy. Our clinic can assist you by checking your benefits and explaining expected costs before starting treatment, ensuring there are no surprises.
A space maintainer stays in place until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. This can range from a few months to a couple of years, depending on the child’s age and which tooth was lost. Your dentist will monitor it during regular check-ups.
Yes — but with some care. Most children can return to normal eating within a day. We recommend avoiding very sticky foods (like gum or caramel) and hard candies, as they can loosen or damage the appliance.
It can happen, especially if your child eats sticky or hard foods. If it becomes loose or comes out, keep the appliance if possible and contact us. We’ll assess the space and either adjust, repair, or replace it to keep the tooth alignment on track.
The cost of a space maintainer for children in Dubai varies depending on the type of appliance and your child’s specific dental needs. At our clinic, we focus on providing safe, effective treatment while keeping it affordable for families.
What Affects the Cost?
Type of Space Maintainer
Band & Loop appliances are typically the most cost-effective. More advanced appliances like Nance or Lingual Arch may cost more due to additional design and fabrication steps.
Number of Teeth Involved
Some children may need more than one space maintainer, especially if multiple baby teeth were lost early.
Tooth Condition
If the tooth requires treatment before placing a space maintainer (such as an extraction or cleaning), this may affect the overall cost.
Follow-up Visits
Periodic check-ups are needed to ensure the appliance stays secure and the permanent tooth is erupting properly. These are usually minimal but may be included depending on the treatment plan.
Clear and Transparent Pricing:
During your child’s consultation, we provide a full breakdown of all costs and explain the most effective and affordable options for your child’s situation — with no hidden fees.
A Smart Investment in Your Child’s Alignment:
Space maintainers help prevent crowding, misalignment, and costly orthodontic treatment later on.
By holding the space for the permanent tooth, they protect your child’s long-term oral health and support proper jaw development.
Let’s take care of your child’s smile
book their visit today.
Appointments available in Jumeirah & Mirdif clinics
📌 Dubai London Clinic – Nakheel Mall
Al Hilali Nakheel Mall Lower Ground Level I B-1001a, 02, 03a Palm – Jumeirah – Dubai
Al Barajeel Oasis Complex – 4001 47th St -Mirdif – Dubai
