HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

What appliance maintains a space due to the premature loss of tooth S?

1. Fixed bridge

2. Band and loop

3. Partial denture

4. Space maintainer

The correct answer is: Band and loop

The appliance that effectively maintains space due to the premature loss of a primary tooth is the space maintainer. This device is specifically designed to hold the position of the missing tooth until the permanent tooth erupts. In the case of premature tooth loss, especially in pediatric dentistry, it is crucial to maintain the space left by the lost tooth to prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting into that space. If teeth drift, it can lead to misalignment and complications in future dental treatments. The band and loop design, while serving a similar purpose, is a specific type of space maintainer. This appliance is an effective method and falls within the broader category of space maintainers. It consists of a fixed band that is placed on an adjacent tooth and a wire loop that extends into the space of the missing tooth, helping to hold that space open. A fixed bridge and partial dentures, while they may serve to replace teeth, are not appropriate appliances for managing space loss due to early tooth loss in children. Fixed bridges are typically used for adults whose permanent teeth are missing, and partial dentures are used in adults or older teenagers who have lost multiple teeth. Therefore, the most precise answer for maintaining space after the premature loss of a primary tooth is indeed the space maintainer