Space maintainer for the loss of a permanent molar in the adolescent patient: report of case.

An adolescent patient who loses a permanent first molar presents a clinical challenge for the practitioner. The ideal space maintainer should not only maintain the edentulous space, but it should also maintain inter-arch integrity. An esthetic, inexpensive unilateral space maintainer has been designed for the replacement of a permanent first molar in an adolescent patient. The appliance has demonstrated high patient satisfaction, as well as, a good clinical result. This appliance is designed to remain in place until the patient is old enough to receive an implant or a more permanent prosthetic replacement.