DISTAL SHOE SPACE MAINTAINER: A GUIDE FOR THE PERMANENT FIRST MOLAR

Abstract

Background: Prevention of primary teeth until their normal exfoliation plays an important role in preventive and interceptive dentistry. Premature loss of primary second molar prior to eruption of the permanent first molar in the absence of the primary second molar can lead to mesial movement and migration of the permanent molar before and during its eruption. In such cases, an intra alveolar type of space maintainer to guide the eruption of the permanent first molar is indicated. Case report: A case of space maintenance of three year old boy was described in which the primary second molar was lost due to dental caries. An intra alveolar type of space maintainer also known as willet`s distal shoe was given. A 12 month follow up was taken. Conclusion: In Pedodontic practice the main concern of the dentist is to provide maximum benefit to the patient with minimum discomfort, more co-operations and less chair side time. The distal shoe space maintainer will be useful aid in the preventive and interceptive therapy.