Space Maintainer Instructions

The following suggestions regarding the care of your child with a space maintainer should be followed unless otherwise noted:

• Discomfort and Pain: Only minor discomfort or sensitivity is expected after the placement of a space maintainer. Medications such as Tylenol or Advil usually control this discomfort.  If a part of the space maintainer feels pokey or sharp, place wax over it and give us a call if the discomfort is not resolved after a few days (ie. break in period).
  

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• Diet: Avoid all sticky, chewy, and gummy foods and candies; i.e. gum, taffy. Eating sticky foods may pull off the space maintainer.
  

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• Oral Hygiene: use a Waterpik or waterflosser to clean the areas around the appliance and then follow up with normal brushing and flossing even around the space maintainer. 
  

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• No Tongue or Finger Play: Avoid pushing or playing with the space maintainer with the tongue or fingers, as this could loosen it. 
  

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• Re-cementation: Occasionally a space maintainer may come loose, or come out, & need to be re-cemented. Please call or text us in the event of a loose or lost space maintainer. If your child’s appliance comes out, please bring it with you to the office so we can re-cement it.

• Regular Follow-up:  we typically schedule regular follow-up appointments every 6 months, to monitor the appliance and tooth eruption. If you are having difficulty with the device prior to your appointment feel free to call or text us anytime to have it checked.
  

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• The appliance should remain in place until the adult tooth that it is holding space for starts to come in.