Payton Weires3 months ago
★★★★★
Great experience awesome people. Have been coming here for almost 10 years now and I…
Space maintainers in Green Bay
When a baby tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt — whether from decay, injury, or early extraction — a space maintainer holds the gap open so the permanent tooth has a clear path. Without it, neighboring teeth drift within weeks, crowding the space and often requiring orthodontic treatment that could have been prevented.
Risk Framework
Adjacent teeth naturally tip and lean into the open gap within weeks of early baby tooth loss — reducing the required physical space before the adult tooth even begins erupting.
The permanent adult tooth may erupt in an incorrect, rotated position, become deeply impacted beneath the bone, or be forced entirely out of alignment, requiring surgical extraction or extensive braces.
Correcting space loss down the road typically demands extensive, comprehensive orthodontic treatment — a path that is significantly more expensive and lengthy than a preventative space maintainer appliance.
Drifting teeth permanently alter the natural bite relationship — triggering uneven wear, early jaw joint discomfort, and compounding structural problems that become increasingly complex with age.
Appliance Varieties
The most common pediatric type. A sleek metal band is safely cemented to the stable tooth next to the gap, with a clean wire loop holding the empty space open. Because it is fixed in place, the child cannot remove it. Used primarily for a single missing tooth on one side.
Designed for cases where primary teeth are missing on both sides of the lower or upper dental arch. A continuous internal wire cleanly connects stabilizing bands positioned on both sides, keeping space open bilaterally.
Similar in visual appearance to a clear orthodontic retainer — used primarily for older, cooperative children or when the permanent adult tooth is expected to emerge very soon. Requires patient compliance to remain effective.
Clinical Workflow
A digital X-ray confirms that the permanent adult tooth is present and developing properly beneath the site. The empty gap width is measured, and the ideal maintainer style is selected based on age.
For fixed maintainers: the metal band is fitted and cemented to the adjacent tooth, with the wire loop sitting cleanly across the gap. No shots or drilling are needed, requiring only 20–30 minutes.
The appliance is checked at every routine 6-month cleaning block. Low-radiation X-rays monitor the permanent tooth's upward growth, and the device is adjusted as the mouth changes.
When the underlying permanent adult tooth finally breaks through the gum tissue and enters the arch, the fixed maintainer is smoothly slipped off, allowing natural development to take over.
When an early baby tooth requires extraction due to decay or injury, we evaluate space maintainer eligibility parameters concurrently, placing the device during the same visit to avoid any gap intervals.
We systematically track your child's jaw changes and permanent tooth eruption speeds at every regular hygiene check, removing the appliance at the ideal biological moment.
We provide full, clear instructions regarding how to clean around the wire loop at home, what foods to avoid (like sticky caramels), and exactly when to call our clinic if a band becomes loose.
Great experience awesome people. Have been coming here for almost 10 years now and I…
Awesome dental office with friendly staff who really care about your concerns. They fit me…
The staff at Green Bay Smiles was incredibly professional, friendly, and gentle in their approach,…
Dr Messer is excellent.
My first experience with Green Bay Smiles. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Messer, the…
I mistakenly went on the wrong day and Green Bay Smiles graciously worked me in….
My questions were answered in a patient and caring manner.
The team at Green Bay Smiles went above and beyond with their friendly, helpful, and…
Counter staff are friendly and informative. Hygienist was gentle, informative and had a great bedside…
I was in for a 6 month routine checkup and cleaning. As always, Dr Messer…
Had a wonderful first time there. Felt very welcomed and my concerns were addressed very…
Very welcoming staff. The hygienist was patient, kind, and explained everything that was occurring. The…
Outstanding job, very happy with his work.
My Dental Hygenist was so friendly, professional, knowledgeable, positive, and caring. She shared information relating…
Excellent service and friendly staff
The GBS clinic was prompt in confirming appointments and the staff was extremely courteous ….
The dentist and staff at Green Bay Smiles were professional, friendly, and gentle, making me…
You were ALL very professional, kind, knowledgeable, etc, etc. I appreciate entrusting my smile to…
Great atmosphere and customer service all the staff was very friendly and helpful
I needed a lot of dental work and chose Green Bay Smiles as they had…
Everyone in the office was very nice and made me feel at ease. It is…
(Translated by Google) An excellent place, everyone is friendly and very attentive. I especially felt…
Emily was very good at her job
Great place to get your teeth fixed/cleaned.
Very professional and friendly
This was a great office visit. I got more information in the first 15 minutes…
On time, down to business, good care and conversation with my hygienist!
Jena is awesome. Best of luck with your new born!
Dental care made easy. I actually enjoy going!
Love this dental office! I've been going for a few years now and the staff…
The employee was very nice. She listened to what I was saying was wrong.
Green Bay Smiles is timely, thorough and always has a relaxing environment.
Thank you so much for the outstanding care and professionalism. I truly appreciate how detailed…
Dr. Messer and staff are always friendly, professional and knowledgeable at Green Bay Smiles. They…
Always a great place to visit. Staff is always friendly and helpful.
Green Bay Smiles is a great place for dental work. Dr Messer is a credit…
Great dental office. Staff is professional, kind and efficient.
At Green Bay Smiles, the dentist and staff provided a friendly and professional experience, putting…
Always a pleasure with great staff and dentist!
Dental staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful!
An hour after I got home I developed a toothache which still persists tonight. Did…
Really kind people who do their best to make each experience a good one.
Very happy, everyone very nice and helpful, answered all my questions, and explained procedures and…
Dr. Messer exemplifies what outstanding dental care should be. The approach is thoughtful, precise, and…
It was very pleasant and they got me in 5 minutes ahead of my scheduled…
Had a very friendly visit every time I go in to have any dental work…
Dr. Casey and her team are truly the best!
I arrived for my appointment in a state of very high anxiety. I was given…
Excellent service, everyone was friendly and the dentist knew her profession. I’am happy to be…
Courteous, explains thoroughly and timely.
I took my 95 year old mom to the dentist. First visit in 7 years….
Very thorough, and friendly, but they listened to what I wanted after I explained what…
I always have a good experience with the people there . They are professional and…
Love Dr. Messer! She's speedy, fun, kind and does quality work. Will never go anywhere…
Dr. Messer & her dental care team are very knowledgeable and have taken excellent care…
The friendly staff at Green Bay Smiles were a delight to work with, providing a…
Finding a provider that could work with my insurance was challenging, but luckily my search…
Very efficient and courteous
Great dentist great staff great hygenist! Friendly personable helpful!
I trust Dr. Messer. Dr. Messer, and the Green Bay Smiles staff are totally awesome!…
All staff at Green Bay Smiles in Green Bay were very friendly & personable. I…
Efficient and friendly service
Everything was on time and handled very professionally.
Always a great experience! Fantastic teeth cleaning – very thorough, detailed, and considerate! Highly recommended.
Is it possible to say that you look forward to the dentist?? YES. Love Green…
The assistant was very nice, 5 star!
My appointment was on time and the people that worked on me were great and…
I used to go to Green Bay Smiles, but after moving, I started seeing a…
I've recently had major restorative dental work completed at GB Smiles, and can't speak highly…
Took me on time. Good results. No pain. This place is great! I always feel…
They are amazing! All the staff are super efficient and very professional! I would highly…
Great getting me in waiting list All is good. Great staff Friendly 👍🏻
Professional, friendly and very detailed from when you enter the office till you leave. Dr…
Relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Don’t mind stopping there at all!
I had a great experience. Everyone is so friendly and Casey did great with all…
The staff at Green Bay Smiles demonstrated exceptional professionalism, providing a consistently polite and courteous…
Very understanding and informative to my own situation.
Great team work – all levels. Office, dental associates and of course, Dr. Casey. A…
Very friendly people. They make it easy and explain everything very clearly. Will be back.
I’m so happy with Dr Messer in her care and friendliness. She knows what she…
Treating deep structural decay in baby teeth early is our primary focus to prevent premature tooth loss and avoid the need for space maintainers entirely.
If major space loss or drift has already occurred before a maintainer could be placed, an early interceptive evaluation maps out your optimal correction options.
Routine 6-month checkups include comprehensive space audits to track permanent adult tooth development and ensure seamless development paths.
Open for Appointments
Schedule your visit with our friendly dental team today.