Space Maintainer

When a patient loses a primary molar thereby leaving a space in the dentition, the first molar tends to drift forward into that space causing crowding and blocking the proper eruption of the bicuspids.

A Space Maintainer (also known as a Band & Loop) uses a wire loop soldered to a molar band and extending  anteriorly where it contacts the distal edge of the tooth on the mesial side of the space to prevent this drift. The appliance is left in place until the patient’s bicuspid(s) erupt and fill the space.