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Space Maintainers in London

Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves Space Maintainers with our team of specialist dentists.

Our dentists serving Space Maintainers treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our Space Maintainers treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.

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Dental Implants Example With Abutement And Crown
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About Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are dental appliances designed to preserve the gap created by a prematurely lost primary (baby) tooth, ensuring that permanent teeth have sufficient space to erupt properly. These devices, which can be either fixed (made of metal bands and wires) or removable (made of acrylic), prevent adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space, which could otherwise lead to crowding, misalignment, and potential orthodontic complications. Typically used in children between ages 5 and 14, space maintainers are custom-fitted to each patient's mouth and may remain in place until the permanent tooth is ready to emerge, helping to maintain proper dental development and potentially reducing the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later.
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Why Choose Us

You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your Space Maintainers in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real Space Maintainers patients as a testimony to our expertise:

Contact Us & Lets Get Started

Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our Space Maintainers treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our Space Maintainers in London can best serve you.

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Our Process For Space Maintainers

At London Dental Specialists, our Space Maintainers service is designed to preserve the necessary space for permanent teeth following premature loss of primary teeth, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper dental development. The process begins with a comprehensive consultation and assessment to evaluate your child's specific needs. Based on this evaluation, we develop a customised treatment plan tailored to their oral health. The next step involves the precise placement of the space maintainer, a device that holds the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Post-treatment care includes regular monitoring and guidance to ensure the maintainer functions effectively and to address any concerns promptly.

Recovery Timeline

Step 1

Consultation & Assessment



  • Clinical Examination of oral health

  • Radiographic Analysis with X-rays

  • Medical History Review for allergies

  • Oral Hygiene Assessment for tailored guidance

Step 2

Space Maintainers Custom Treatment Plan



  • Selection of appropriate space maintainer type

  • Material consideration for comfort and durability

  • Custom design for precise fit

  • Oral hygiene guidance and instructions

  • Follow-up appointment schedule

Step 3

Space Maintainers Treatment Procedures



  • Preparation of the treatment area

  • Placement of the space maintainer

  • Adjustment and comfort check

  • Oral hygiene instruction

  • Follow-up schedule

Step 4

Post Space Maintainers Treatment Care



  • Dietary recommendations to protect the appliance

  • Specialised oral hygiene practices

  • Regular follow-up appointments every 3-6 months

  • Monitoring for signs of discomfort or damage

  • Guidance on proper patient cooperation

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The Benefits of Space Maintainers

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We Can Help Treat Your Conditions With Space Maintainers Treatments

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Our Team of Dental Specialists

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dr ope sodeinde specialist in periodontics london

Dr Ope Sodeinde

Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics

BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)

GDC No: 104071

dr neha patel specialist endodontist london

Dr Neha Patel

Specialist in Endodontics

BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)

GDC No: 150517

dr kia papagalani specialist orthodontist london

Dr Kia Papagalani

Specialist in Orthodontics

DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU

GDC No: 228487

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Frequently Asked Questions

Space maintainers are essential dental appliances that preserve the gap left by a prematurely lost baby tooth. At London Dental Specialists, we understand parents' concerns about their child's dental development. These custom-made devices—available in fixed or removable options—prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into empty spaces, ensuring proper alignment for permanent teeth. Whether your child needs a unilateral, crown and loop, distal shoe, or lingual maintainer, our specialists provide personalised care for children typically aged 5-14. Our process involves digital imaging, careful preparation, and precise placement. Browse our frequently asked questions below to learn more about how space maintainers can protect your child's developing smile.

What is a space maintainer?


A space maintainer is a dental appliance designed to preserve the space left by a prematurely lost baby tooth. These custom-made devices prevent adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space, ensuring proper alignment for permanent teeth when they erupt. At London Dental Specialists, our space maintainers are typically crafted from metal or acrylic materials and can be either fixed (cemented in place) or removable depending on your child's specific needs.



Why might my child need a space maintainer?


Your child might need a space maintainer if they've lost a baby tooth earlier than expected due to decay, trauma, or other dental issues. Without a space maintainer, the surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space, potentially causing alignment problems when permanent teeth attempt to emerge. This preventive measure helps avoid future orthodontic complications and maintains proper dental development, saving time and resources on extensive treatments later.



What types of space maintainers are available at London Dental Specialists?


At London Dental Specialists, we offer several types of space maintainers tailored to your child's specific needs:



  • Unilateral space maintainer: Wraps around a tooth with a metal loop to hold the space intact, used when a single tooth is missing on one side.

  • Crown and loop space maintainer: A stainless steel crown fitted over a tooth with an attached loop to preserve adjacent space.

  • Distal shoe space maintainer: Used when a baby molar is lost before the permanent first molar erupts, extending into the gum to guide the emerging tooth.

  • Lingual space maintainer: A bilateral device that connects to molars on both sides of the lower jaw, preserving space for multiple missing front teeth.



At what age are space maintainers typically needed?


Space maintainers are most commonly used for children between the ages of 5 and 14, which is a crucial period for dental development. The specific timing depends on your child's individual development and when they lose their baby teeth. Younger children might need to keep their space maintainers for a longer period if their permanent teeth are still several years away from erupting. Our specialists at London Dental Specialists will evaluate your child's specific needs to determine the appropriate timing.



How is a space maintainer fitted?


The process of fitting a space maintainer at London Dental Specialists involves three main steps:



  1. 3D digital imaging of your child's teeth to create a precise treatment plan

  2. Placement of separators (spacers) between the back teeth approximately one week before the appliance fitting to create sufficient space

  3. Removal of the separators and installation of the appropriate space maintainer (such as a Nance appliance for upper teeth or a Lingual Arch for lower teeth)



Are space maintainers uncomfortable for children?


Most children adapt to space maintainers within a few days. Initially, your child might experience mild discomfort or a feeling of pressure, but this typically subsides quickly. The appliances are custom-designed to fit comfortably in your child's mouth. If discomfort persists or if the device causes irritation to the gums or cheeks, please contact London Dental Specialists for an adjustment appointment.



How long will my child need to wear a space maintainer?


The duration for wearing a space maintainer varies depending on your child's dental development. Typically, the device remains in place until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt into the space, which could range from several months to a few years. With proper care and regular check-ups at London Dental Specialists, space maintainers can effectively serve their purpose until they're no longer needed, ensuring optimal dental development for your child.



How should my child care for their space maintainer?


Proper care of a space maintainer includes:



  • Maintaining excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing

  • Avoiding sticky sweets, chewing gum, and hard foods that could damage the appliance

  • Not pushing or pulling on the space maintainer with fingers or tongue

  • Attending all scheduled check-up appointments at London Dental Specialists

  • For removable appliances, cleaning them as instructed and storing them safely when not in use



What happens if a space maintainer breaks or comes loose?


If your child's space maintainer becomes damaged, breaks, or feels loose, contact London Dental Specialists immediately for an appointment. Continuing to use a damaged space maintainer could cause discomfort or oral injuries. Never attempt to adjust or repair the device at home. Our specialists will assess the situation and either repair the existing appliance or create a replacement if necessary to ensure your child's dental development stays on track.


Can’t find the answer to your Space Maintainers questions here? Always feel welcome to contact us with your Space Maintainers questions and concerns.
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Aftercare Methods & Products for Space Maintainers








































































Product Brands What it Takes Care of Details
Child-Friendly Toothpaste Aquafresh Kids, Colgate Kids Gentle cleaning around space maintainers Fluoride toothpaste that's gentle enough for children with space maintainers.
Soft-Bristled Toothbrush Oral-B Kids, Colgate Kids Cleaning around space maintainers Soft bristles that clean effectively without damaging space maintainers.
Water Flosser Waterpik, Philips Sonicare Airfloss Cleaning around and under space maintainers Gentle water pressure to remove food particles from hard-to-reach areas.
Interdental Brushes TePe, Oral-B Targeted cleaning Small brushes to clean around space maintainer bands and wires.
Alcohol-Free Mouthwash Corsodyl, Colgate Gentle rinsing Helps reduce bacteria without irritating gums around space maintainers.
Orthodontic Wax Ortho Wax, DenTek Comfort protection Provides relief if space maintainer causes any irritation to cheeks or gums.
Travel Cleaning Kit Oral-B, Colgate On-the-go care Maintains space maintainer cleanliness during school or away from home.
Disclosing Tablets Boots, Plaque Disclosers Plaque identification Helps children see missed areas when brushing around space maintainers.
Fluoride Rinse Colgate FluoriGard, Oral-B Cavity prevention Extra protection for teeth adjacent to space maintainers.
Antimicrobial Mouth Spray Dentyl, Corsodyl Quick freshening Helps reduce bacteria between brushings for children with space maintainers.
Looking for more information for aftercare guide and instructions for post treatment? We take the whole process of treatment to recovery very seriously with a lot of car for our patients, so if you're looking for more information on this check out our aftercare guide for Space Maintainers post treatments recovery.
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Get Started with Space Maintainers Treatments

Ready to take the next step with our  Space Maintainers Treatments?

We are happy to answer your questions and help you feel as comfortable as can be with taking the next step in your Space Maintainers treatments and dental care!
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Areas We Serve Space Maintainers

London Dental Specialists provides expert Space Maintainers services across Central London's premier districts, including Mayfair, Soho, Westminster, and Belgravia. Our Harley Street clinic is ideally situated to serve patients from prestigious areas such as Knightsbridge, Marylebone, and the City of London. With excellent transport links and a central location, we're easily accessible to residents and professionals in Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, and Clerkenwell.

Our Space Maintainers services extend throughout London's vibrant inner suburbs, serving patients from well-connected areas within 5-10km of central London. From the artistic quarters of Camden and Hackney to the residential neighbourhoods of Islington and Brixton, we provide expert dental implant care to patients across these diverse communities. Our clinic is easily accessible via public transport from areas such as Fulham, Greenwich, and Hampstead.

Patients from Surrounding Areas of London, UK within 5-10KM of Central London, UK that we serve Space Maintainers to:
Whiter Smile for a Special Day | London Dental Specialists - 1

We extend our Space Maintainers expertise to patients throughout Greater London's outer regions, serving communities beyond the 10km radius of central London. From the residential areas of Enfield and Harrow to the suburban communities of Bromley and Croydon, our specialists provide the same exceptional level of care to patients in these outer London locations. With convenient transport links and flexible scheduling, we make advanced Space Maintainers treatment accessible to residents throughout these broader London areas.

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