HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What dental appliance might be used to maintain space after losing a primary tooth?

1. Crown

2. Band and loop

3. Retainer

4. Braces

The correct answer is: Band and loop

The band and loop is specifically designed for the purpose of maintaining space in the dental arch after the loss of a primary tooth. When a primary tooth is lost prematurely, it is crucial to hold the adjacent teeth in their positions to prevent them from drifting into the empty space. The band and loop consists of a band that is placed around an adjacent tooth and a loop that spans the space where the lost tooth was situated, thereby preserving the necessary space for the future eruption of the permanent tooth. In contrast, a crown is primarily used to restore the shape and function of a damaged or decayed tooth, rather than to maintain space after tooth loss. A retainer is intended to stabilize teeth after orthodontic treatment, but it does not serve the same purpose as a band and loop in addressing the issue of space maintenance following the loss of a primary tooth. Braces are used for aligning and straightening teeth, which is a different function altogether from the specific task of space maintenance after tooth loss.