International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced Research ● Vol. 1 ● 2015 1 International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced Research (2015), 1, 1–5 REVIEW ARTICLE Space regainers in pediatric dentistry Pratiksha Chandak, Sudhindra Baliga, Nilima Thosar Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India Abstract Premature loss of deciduous teeth due to caries or any other iatrogenic factors prevents development of normal occlusal relationship. In interceptive orthodontics, the severity of developing malocclusion and complex orthodontic treatments are minimized or reduced which further may help in reducing the overall treatment time. In the recent era, for successful resolution of space discrepancies, various interceptive measures involving non-extraction approaches were satisfactory. This article is an overview which depicts a range of space regaining appliances used to overcome or reduce space discrepancies. Keywords Interceptive orthodontics, premature loss of deciduous teeth, space regainers Correspondence Dr. Nilima Thosar, M1-11, Meghdootam Apartments, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha  - wW442 004,Maharashtra, India. Email: drnthosar@redffmail.com Received 16 March 2015 Accepted 21 April 2015 doi: 10.15713/ins.idmjar.11 Introduction Premature exfoliation or extraction of deciduous tooth or teeth can frequently lead to the development of malocclusion. Early orthodontic interventions are often in the beginning of developing dentition help to promote favorable developmental changes. [1] The term interceptive orthodontics includes timely management of hostile features of a developing occlusion. Interceptive orthodontics is defined as a phase of science and art of orthodontics employed to recognize and eliminate the potential irregularities and malpositions in the developing dentofacial complex. [2] Guiding the erupting and developing deciduous and permanent teeth and developing occlusion forms an essential part of the preventive care of pediatric patients. Such assistance will lead to the development of a permanent dentition in a harmonious, functional and esthetically acceptable occlusion. [3] In 1998, Hoffding and Kisling reported that premature loss of primary teeth caused space loss. [4] As a result of space loss, the permanent tooth may remain impacted, or it may erupt buccally or lingually. [5] In the case of premature loss of primary second molars, the space closure is much more than premature loss of primary first molar. In such circumstances, where there is space loss, routinely we require space regainer. Various appliances will help for both regaining the lost space as well as its maintenance for the eruption of the permanent tooth. At the initial appointment, the appliance is activated to regain the lost space and then it is kept passive till the tooth is erupted into the oral cavity. The dual function of the appliance will reduce the cost to the parents and saves time for both the dentist as well as for the patient. [3] For performing any interceptive measures like space regaining or any mesial or distal movement of teeth, diagnosis is of utmost importance. If the attention is not given to the segment in which tooth is missing, it may become the frequent cause of failure in attempting to regain the space. [1] Treatment considerations include the alignment of the teeth and the space required for the teeth to align in the basal bone, the position of the teeth within the arch, the occlusion in both transverse and sagittal plane, and the relation of the maxilla and mandible with the cranium and the soft tissue. The diagnostic aids necessary to develop a database for the above consideration include study models, radiographs of all periapical structures, clinical assessment of facial asymmetry and proportions, and possibly cephalometric analysis. Interceptive orthodontics is employed to recognize and eliminate potential irregularities and malposition in the early maxillofacial complex. The various techniques recommended for reducing or eliminating developing irregularities and malocclusion are serial extractions, space regaining, etc., In preventive and interceptive orthodontics, if the right treatment is done at an early age, then no further treatment would be needed. [6] Diagnosis Radiographs and study models are used for assessing space required and alignment of the tooth in the arch. The forces