Textbook on pediatric space management

Dental neglect of the primary dentition is the principal cause of malocclusion in the permanent dentition.Early, regular, and satisfactory dental care maintains the primary teeth in a healthy condition until their normal exfoliation.Dental restorations in the primary dentition, particularly the molars involving the proximal surfaces, should be restored to their full mesio-distal diameter for the prevention of space loss and the maintenance of arch length.The objective of space maintenance and tooth guidance should be kept constantly in mind, that is, to prevent something bad from getting worse.Problems in the dental arches involve lack of space, space loss, 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.