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Space maintainers

Holds space after early tooth loss so other teeth don’t shift out of place.

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How it works

A small custom appliance keeps that space open until the adult tooth is ready to come through

Baby teeth do an important job of saving space for the adult teeth underneath. When one is lost too soon — through decay or an accident — the neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap and block the adult tooth from erupting properly.

Care & hygiene

Space maintainers are easy to look after with a few simple habits.

Brush around the appliance carefully and rinse after meals to keep it clean. Steer clear of hard, chewy and sticky foods that could bend or dislodge it.

We’ll check the maintainer at regular visits and remove it once the adult tooth begins to come through.

Guides & resources

A little know-how goes a long way.

More on guiding your child’s dental development.

Treatment guides

Alternatives to children’s braces

Discover alternatives like clear aligners and ceramic braces. We’ll help you find the option that best fits your child’s needs.

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Treatment guides

Benefits of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is more than creating a pretty smile

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Treatment guides

Caring for your child’s smile during treatment

Simple daily habits — brushing, diet and check-ups — that keep treatment on track and your child comfortable.

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Treatment guides

Common questions about children’s braces

Parents’ top concerns answered: comfort, care, food restrictions, and what to expect with metal braces for kids.

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Treatment guides

Jaw expander: Separators

The first step to make your jaw expander is to separate for space

Orthodontic Separators
Treatment guides

What are clear aligners (including Invisalign)

Invisalign is one brand of clear aligner — here’s how aligner treatment works and the options we offer.

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Treatment guides

When should my child first see an orthodontist?

The short answer: around age 7. Here’s why early assessment matters, even if treatment can wait.

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Treatment guides

When to see an orthodontist

When to start treatment for children, teenagers, and adults — and why timing matters.

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Ready to learn more?

Book a consultation with a specialist orthodontist to talk through your options and the right treatment for you.

FAQs

Have a question about space maintainers?

  • We recommend placing a space maintainer within months of early baby tooth loss.  This will ensure that the gap stays the same size, allowing for problem free eruption of the adult tooth developing underneath.

  • The process to construct a custom fitted space maintainer tailored to your mouth is simple. Utilising Orthoclinic’s state of the art intraoral scanning technology, your mouth is 3D scanned, a 3D model is printed, and a custom fitted spacemaintainer is made from that model.