Direct bonded space maintainer: an alternative in clinical practice after unilateral premature loss of posterior primary tooth

Introduction: The primary dentition is extremely important, because besides the importance during chewing, acts as a guide to eruption for permanent teeth, stimulates the bone growth and helps in digestion and phonation. In cases of premature loss, it is necessary that the professional make adequate planning to space maintenance, so that it is not lost until the eruption of the permanent successor, thus avoiding the establishment of malocclusions. Objective: To describe the clinical steps for preparation and placement of a direct bonded space maintainer, as well as the follow-up until the eruption of the successor tooth. Case report: Girl, eight years old, presented an adjacent fistula to the primary mandibular right second molar. After clinical and radiographic evaluation, tooth extraction was indicated, due to the impossibility of performing the endodontic treatment. A direct bonded space maintainer was made and installed as an alternative to the band and loop, commonly used in these cases of unilateral loss. Conclusion: The direct bonded space maintainer was a good option for the case presented, as it was able to fulfill its function until the eruption of the successor tooth. It is a good alternative in clinical practice due to the time optimization and material savings it provides.