When should a space maintainer be removed?

A dental space maintainer should be removed when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Your dentist will know when this is about to happen because he or she will be taking regular x-rays of your child’s mouth after installing the space maintainer. In cases where there is no permanent tooth, the space maintainer will likely stay in the child's mouth until he or she has stopped growing -- usually around age 16-18 -- at which time it will be replaced with a dental implant or bridge.