Services
Space Maintainers
When a baby tooth comes out early, our team places space maintainers to hold room for your child's permanent tooth.
Why choose us
Benefits of Space Maintainers
Holds Space Open
A space maintainer keeps the gap from a lost baby tooth open so the adult tooth has room to come in.
Supports Healthy Alignment
Keeping neighboring teeth from drifting into the gap helps guide permanent teeth toward their proper place.
Made On-Site
Our on-site dental lab lets us craft your child's appliance right here in our office.
Parents Welcome Chairside
You're welcome to stay with your child in the treatment room for comfort and peace of mind.
Flexible Payment Options
We accept all major PPO plans and self-pay patients, and financing is available.
If your child has lost a baby tooth too early, whether from decay, an extraction, or a fall on the playground, you may be wondering whether that gap matters. Baby teeth fall out eventually, but each one also holds a place open for the permanent tooth growing beneath it. When one disappears ahead of schedule, the neighboring teeth can drift into the empty spot. A space maintainer is a small, custom-fit appliance we use to keep that space open until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
A space maintainer does one job: it prevents nearby teeth from shifting while your child's permanent tooth develops. Most are made of metal and fit snugly around one or more teeth next to the gap, with a wire or band bridging the open space. Some are fixed in place and stay put until we remove them. Others are removable and can come out for cleaning. The right design depends on which tooth was lost, where it sits in the mouth, and how long the permanent tooth is likely to take to arrive.
Space maintainers most often help children who lost a back baby tooth early, since molars play a big role in holding the arch in shape. They can also help a child whose tooth had to be removed because of a deep cavity or infection, or a child who was born without certain permanent teeth and needs the spacing managed carefully. Our pediatric dentistry care focuses on children ages 4 to 14, the window when most of these situations come up. Parents are welcome in the treatment room, so you can stay right beside your child for the whole visit.
Without something to hold the space, teeth tend to tip or slide toward the gap, sometimes faster than families expect. When that happens, the permanent tooth may not have enough room to erupt. It can come in crooked or out of position, or become partly blocked. Crowding like this often leads to orthodontic treatment later that might have been simpler, or even avoidable, if the space had been preserved.
Because 805 Dentistry is a one-stop shop for the whole family, our general, pediatric, and orthodontic care all happen under one roof here in Thousand Oaks. If we notice your child's bite developing in a way that needs closer attention, we can coordinate that care without sending you across town. We also offer 2D and 3D dental imaging, which helps us see where the permanent teeth are and plan the timing of a space maintainer thoughtfully.
How do I care for my child's space maintainer?
Caring for a space maintainer comes down to keeping it clean, protecting it from damage, and coming in for regular checkups. These appliances are sturdy, but they work best when the whole family knows a few practical habits:
- Brush carefully around the bands and wires every day, where food likes to collect.
- Avoid sticky, chewy candy and gum, which can loosen or bend the appliance.
- Discourage pushing or pulling on the maintainer with fingers or the tongue.
- Call us if the appliance feels loose, bent, or uncomfortable, or if it comes off.
At routine dental exams and cleanings, we check that the maintainer still fits well and that the permanent tooth is progressing as expected. Once the adult tooth begins to come through, we remove the appliance, which is typically quick and simple. Throughout treatment, we can pair the maintainer with preventive care such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help protect the surrounding teeth.
Will getting a space maintainer be uncomfortable for my child?
Most children handle the process well, and we take time to help them feel at ease. Getting a space maintainer usually doesn't involve anything more involved than a standard visit. We fit the appliance to your child's teeth, and it's common for it to feel unusual for the first few days while they get used to it.
For children who feel nervous at the dentist, we offer options to help them relax, including nitrous oxide sedation. Having a parent nearby helps too, which is one reason we invite you into the treatment room. Our team explains each step in kid-friendly terms so there are no surprises.
Does insurance cover space maintainers, and what if we don't have coverage?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our team can help you understand what your plan covers before treatment begins. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so we're happy to review your benefits with you and explain any out-of-pocket costs clearly and up front.
If your family doesn't have insurance, we welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available to help spread out the cost of care. We want a decision as important as your child's long-term smile to come down to what's best for them, not to uncertainty about payment.
If your child has lost a baby tooth early, it's worth having it checked sooner rather than later. Families from Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Camarillo, and nearby communities trust Dr. Dar Radfar and our team with every stage of their dental care. Give us a call to schedule a visit. We'd love to help keep your child's smile on track.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Evaluation
We examine your child's smile and the space left by the missing tooth to see if a maintainer is the right fit.
- 2
Fitting the Appliance
We place a space maintainer designed to fit your child's mouth and hold the gap open.
- 3
Ongoing Checkups
At regular visits, we monitor the incoming adult tooth and remove the maintainer when it's no longer needed.