At Little Grins Pediatric Dentistry, we know that baby teeth play a big role in your child’s long-term oral health — even though they don’t last forever. When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay, injury, or extraction, it can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of place, leading to crowding or misalignment.

That’s where space maintainers come in. Our pediatric dental team in Glendora, CA provides custom-fit space maintainers designed to preserve the open space for the adult tooth to come in properly. This small preventive step can make a big difference in your child’s future smile — often helping them avoid complex orthodontic treatment later on.

What Are Space Maintainers?

A space maintainer is a small, comfortable dental appliance made of stainless steel or acrylic that holds space where a tooth has been lost prematurely. By keeping the area open, it allows the permanent tooth underneath the gums to erupt in the correct position.

Our pediatric dentists design each appliance to fit your child’s mouth perfectly — ensuring comfort, function, and stability as your child continues to grow.

Why a Space Maintainer Might Be Needed

Baby teeth aren’t just placeholders — they guide the growth of adult teeth and support the development of the jaw and bite. When one is lost too soon, nearby teeth can drift into the open space, causing long-term alignment problems.

A space maintainer prevents that shifting, keeping your child’s smile properly aligned. Common reasons for early tooth loss include:

• Severe decay or infection

• Accidental injury or trauma

• Extraction due to crowding or damage

By acting early, our team can protect your child’s future oral health and reduce the need for braces or more complex orthodontic care down the road.

Types of Space Maintainers We Offer

At Little Grins Pediatric Dentistry, we offer several types of space maintainers based on your child’s needs:

• Fixed Space Maintainers: These are cemented onto the surrounding teeth for long-term stability and are most common when only one or two teeth are missing.

• Removable Space Maintainers: Made from acrylic and sometimes designed to look like a retainer, these are typically used for older children who can manage wearing and caring for them properly.

During your visit, our pediatric dentist will recommend the best option for your child’s unique situation and explain how to care for it at home.

Benefits of a Space Maintainer

• Maintains natural spacing for adult teeth

• Prevents crowding and misalignment

• Supports proper jaw and bite development

• Minimizes future orthodontic needs

• Comfortable, customized fit for growing smiles

• Caring for a Space Maintainer

Good oral hygiene is key to keeping your child’s space maintainer clean and functional. Our team will teach you and your child how to brush and floss around the appliance and what foods to avoid (like sticky candy or gum). Regular checkups at our Glendora pediatric dental office allow us to monitor the appliance and remove it once the permanent tooth begins to erupt.

Why Glendora Families Trust Little Grins Pediatric Dentistry

Families across Glendora, Covina, San Dimas, and West Covina trust Little Grins Pediatric Dentistry for compassionate, high-quality pediatric care that focuses on prevention and long-term results. Our doctors specialize in helping children feel safe and confident while protecting their smiles through every stage of growth.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today

If your child has lost a baby tooth early, don’t wait — a space maintainer can help ensure a lifetime of straight, healthy smiles.