Space maintainers are appliances used to maintain space or regain minor amounts of space lost to guide erupted teeth into proper positions. There are two types of space maintainers: fixed and removable. Fixed space maintainers are durable but costly to construct and adjust, while removable space maintainers are easier to fabricate but require new appliances after tooth eruption. The document then provides examples of different space maintainers, their indications, and contraindications.

1. Department of PEDODONTISTS
SPACE MAINTAINERS
Space maintainers can be defined as appliances used to maintain space or regain minor amounts of space lost so
as to guide the erupted tooth into a proper position in the arch.
Classification:-
1) FIXED
 Functional
Advantage-durable, maintains occlusion can be used after removal of
extension.
Disadvantage- costly, time consuming, difficult to construct and adjust.
 Non-functional
Advantage-Easy fabrication, low cost and single abutment.
Disadvantage-more breakage chanceless retentive and new appliance
required after eruption of tooth.
2 . REMOVABLE FIXED SPACE MAINTAINERS
Band and loop
Indication:-
Premature loss of any primary first molar.
Contraindication:-
Extreme crowding or space loss.
Lingual arch wires
Indication:-
Bilateral loss of posterior teeth and minor movement of the anterior
teeth.
Contraindication:-
Before the eruption of the mandibular incisors.
Distal shoe space maintainer
Indication:-
Early loss or removal of the second primary molar prior to the
eruption of the first permanent molar is the prime indication.
Contraindication:-

2. Medical conditions such as rheumatic
fever,diabetes,CHD,blooddyscrasias or generalized debilitation.
Nance palatal arch
Indication:-
Bilateral loss of deciduous molars.
Contraindication:-
Palatal lesions
Transpalatal arch
Indication:-
Best in cases where unilateral loss of
space is seen.
Contraindication:-
Bilateral loss .