Introduction: Space Management

Pediatric Space Management
Introduction: Space Management

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Chapter Contents
	Table of Contents
	Introduction
	Space Maintainers: Types And Indications
	Appliance Construction
	Long-term Evaluation And Significance
	Photo Bank: Space Management

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Page 3

Space management is an important responsibility of the general dentist and the pediatric dentist. Inadequate space management can cause problems which are long lasting and severe. The premature loss of primary teeth may cause loss of arch length, resulting in crowding of the permanent dentition, impaction of permanent teeth, esthetic difficulties, malocclusion, and other problems. We recommend prompt and appropriate space management therapies to help insure optimal lifelong dental health.

The purpose of this chapter is to describe space management therapies. We will focus on the various types of space maintainers, when and how they are used, and how they are made.

Our coverage will center on maintaining existing space once primary teeth have been lost prematurely, rather than on tooth movement. For information concerning the movement of teeth, we refer you to current textbooks of orthodontics or minor tooth movement.