Space Management in Paediatric Dentistry

Management of space problems associated with the transitional stages from primary to permanent dentition is a routine component of Pedodontic practice and a complex phenomenon with a variety of physiological adaptations of occlusion. Problems in the dental arches involve lack of space, space loss, mal-eruption, malposition, and mal-alignment of teeth. All such problems relate to the following modes of treatment: space maintenance, space gaining and guidance in alignment and occlusion. Dental arch-length is the most important of the dental arch dimensions in the developing individual. The maintenance of arch-length during the primary, mixed and early permanent dentition is of great significance for the normal development of a functional well-aligned and balanced occlusion. Loss of arch-length has been related mainly with tooth migration following premature loss of primary teeth. It is considered one of the most frequent etiological causes for space loss in children. Appropriate space maintainers should be provided for prematurely lost primary molars. This article provides a summary of the various methods of space management during the mixed dentition period.