Abstract: Abstract： Objective To study how to retain space and restore dentures for children with dentition defect.Methods 12 children patients with dentition defect having suffered from tumor or trauma of the jaws were involved.The removable functional space maintainers appropriate to characteristics of the age spectrum were customized and used for them to exercise the function of denture.Then a long-term observation followed.The results were evaluated through radiographs and clinical examination.Results After 5-12 years of space retaining and prosthodontical treatment,all the 12 children patients successfully developed to permanent dentition in the wake of complete eruption and occlusal contact of the 2nd permanent molar.The mesiodistal length and vertical height of the edentulous area were maintained effectively.Also,the total surviving permanent tooth germs normally developed to eruption place along with the regular development of jawbones.Conclusions The restoration of dentition defect in Childhood period should be made on the basis of developmental characteristics of the jawbones and teeth in this childhood stage.

Key words: children, dentition defects, Removable space maintainer, prosthodontics