Distal Shoe Space Maintainer In Maxillary Arch- Case Report

The distal shoe space maintainer remains an acceptable standard of care, with an extension subgingivallyto a location mesial to the unerupted first permanent molar. This extension serves as a guide for the erupting first molar, and prevents mesial "drifting" of that tooth. Upon eruption of the permanent first molar, the subgingival extension is removed; bacteria might adhere to the extension.