Problems with my son's space maintainer? my son has a space maintainer on his bottom teeth, and there is a small bump or lump on either side of the wire from the spacer. it seems like it's causing him pain, but they bumps don't look real red or agitated o

Yes : Yes immediately. Difficult telling what is going on from your description.

Yes : Yes schedule the appointment if possible with the dentist that put the spacer in. If not go to a pediatric dentist and check the gums to see if it is an ulcer, the spacer rubbing the gums, permanent tooth erupting, or dental infection. Please follow up soon. Good luck.

Contact : Contact your treating dentist as soon as possible, he will definetly help you. Good luck.

Infection: It may be a gum infection. See a dentist right away.

See Dentist ASAP: Swelling often means infarction, perhaps from abscessed tooth or from gum irritation from loose space maintainer. Get back to your dentist as soon as possible.

Needs adjustment: Space maintainers need professional supervision and occasional adjustment. If not, the wire can become embedded in the gum tissues, causing swelling and pain. Alleviation of the problem through appliance adjustment can only be achieved by a dentist or orthodontist. Don't neglect this. The tissue can eventually grow over the wire and further embed the appliance.