Space MaintainerThe decision of which anterior restoration option to use is based on the amount of tooth structure remaining, the pulp status, and the expected life span of the tooth. It is important to remember that in the primary dentition, space maintenance is not necessary in most children, because of normally occurring primate spaces and the cuspid occlusion.

When a second primary molar is lost prematurely, placing a distal shoe on the first primary molar is a possible option, but this is a difficult procedure to perform. Another option is to leave things as they are and place a space maintainer when the first permanent molar erupts. In children with a high incidence of dental caries, space maintainers need to be checked periodically and removed and re-cemented if they become loose. A Gerber or prefabricated space maintainer may be the best option for young children. These are available in kits with numerous sizes.

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