Space Maintainer Selection Calculator

Select the appropriate space maintainer type based on lost tooth location, child age, arch, and eruption timeline per AAPD guidelines.

Child age (months)

Tooth lost

Arch

Bilateral loss?

Months until successor eruption

Abutment needs crown?

Tab to move between fields

Recommended maintainer type

Urgency level2

Expected wear duration (months)11

Follow-up interval (months)6

Estimated cost ($)$250.00

Space loss rate (mm/month)0.7

Space lost in 6 months without maintainer (mm)4.2

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the child's age in months and select the Tooth lost (1 = primary 1st molar, 2 = primary 2nd molar, 3 = primary canine, 4 = primary incisor).
Select the Arch (1 = maxillary, 2 = mandibular) and whether the loss is Bilateral (0 = unilateral, 1 = bilateral).
Enter Months until successor eruption (estimate from radiograph) and whether the abutment tooth Needs a crown (0/1).
Review the Recommended maintainer type: Band and Loop, Crown and Loop, Distal Shoe (for pre-eruptive 2nd molar), Lingual Holding Arch, Nance, TPA, or None needed.
Note the Wear duration (months), Follow-up interval, Estimated cost, and Space lost in 6 months without a maintainer (mm) to support clinical decision-making.

What each input means

Child age (months): Child's current age in months.
Tooth lost: 1 = Primary 1st molar, 2 = Primary 2nd molar, 3 = Primary canine, 4 = Primary incisor.
Arch: 1 = Maxillary (upper), 2 = Mandibular (lower).
Bilateral loss?: 0 = Unilateral (one side), 1 = Bilateral (both sides).
Months until successor eruption: Estimated months until permanent successor tooth erupts.
Abutment needs crown?: 0 = No, 1 = Yes. If abutment tooth is heavily restored, a crown and loop is preferred.

Recommended maintainer type: 1=Band&Loop, 2=Crown&Loop, 3=Distal Shoe, 4=Lingual Arch, 5=Nance, 6=TPA, 7=None needed.
Urgency level: 1 = Can wait, 2 = Place soon, 3 = Urgent placement recommended.
Expected wear duration (months): Approximate months the maintainer should be worn.
Follow-up interval (months): Recommended recall interval to check the appliance.
Estimated cost ($): Approximate US cost for the recommended appliance.
Space loss rate (mm/month): Average mesial drift rate without a space maintainer.
Space lost in 6 months without maintainer (mm): Projected space loss if no maintainer is placed within 6 months.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Child age (months) = 60, Tooth lost = 1, Arch = 2, Bilateral loss? = 0 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Recommended maintainer type
1 = 1
Calculate Urgency level
2 = 2
Calculate Expected wear duration
Expected wear duration
11 = 11

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Identify age-appropriate oral health counseling topics and recall schedule based on AAPD anticipatory guidance recommendations.

Guide treatment decisions for pediatric dental injuries based on IADT guidelines — from enamel fractures to avulsion replantation.

Determine the appropriate pulp therapy for primary teeth based on clinical and radiographic findings per AAPD guidelines.