Ask a Top Orthodontist About Space Maintainers

A top orthodontist might suggest space maintainers if your child loses a baby tooth prematurely. You may be curious about space maintainers and whether or not they are necessary for your child. When a child's permanent teeth have not yet emerged, space maintainers can temporarily fill the gap. However, the permanent teeth may shift as they come in without a retainer to keep the area open. This poses health and aesthetic issues that may cost much more to correct.

There are several potential causes of premature tooth loss in children. Injuries or trauma, such as a toddler falling down the stairs, might knock the teeth out. Or, a dentist may need to remove them if decay or another issue has damaged the tooth. In addition, some children are born without their primary teeth.

The importance of space maintainers

Space maintainers are often manufactured from plastic or metal. The major function of these devices is to prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting once the child's teeth have fallen out. To further grasp the value of space maintainers, the following are some of their benefits.

The correct development of permanent teeth

Permanent teeth erupt via the route formed by the child's baby teeth. When teeth are lost prematurely, it may hinder the eruption of permanent teeth and perhaps cause more dental issues. A space maintainer aids in the healthy development of a child's adult teeth.

Preserves the position of neighboring teeth

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth will move to fill the gap. A child's oral development might be negatively affected if this occurs before their permanent teeth come in. These maintainers prevent teeth from moving by holding the teeth next to them in place.

A straightforward procedure

Children may experience some anxiety when the maintainers are first put in place. However, the process gets better once they get accustomed to it. These space maintainers provide a little force to the teeth, much like traditional retainers, to protect them from shifting. Children will become used to it and eventually forget it is even there.

Prevents the need for future orthodontic procedures

It is possible to lessen the likelihood of needing further orthodontic treatment with space maintainers. For example, if a child loses teeth too soon, a retainer might help keep that area from shifting. It facilitates the development of healthy, well-aligned permanent teeth and reduces the likelihood of future orthodontic problems. These retainers may prevent the need for costly orthodontic work down the road and give the child a head start on a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.

Types of Space Maintainers

The sort of space maintainer the child needs depends on the assessment of an  experienced, top orthodontist. Removable and fixed space maintainers are the two basic types available. The child's age, the position of the missing tooth, and the kind of space that needs maintenance are all variables that will influence the sort of space maintainer the dentist prescribes.

Removable

Removable space maintainers attach to adjacent teeth and may resemble detachable retainers in appearance. It is used when a tooth's absence is noticeable. A prosthetic tooth or block could keep the gap open. Removable space maintainers are usually only suggested when the kid is old enough to assume responsibility for the device and to wear it according to the dentist's instructions.

Fixed

Fixed space maintainers are similar to braces. They bind to the teeth using dental cement. Fixed space maintainers are a good option for younger children who are unprepared for the responsibility of caring for a detachable appliance. In addition, there are various permanent maintainers with different attachment options customized to suit multiple sections of the mouth and gaps of varying sizes, depending on the child's needs. Parents can sort through the details they have on space maintainers by examining the child's requirements and habits and deciding if a detachable or fixed maintainer is more suitable for them.

Conclusion

You may think space maintainers are unneeded if you never had them when you were younger. However, they are an effective innovation in pediatric dental and orthodontic treatment that can save money on more extensive dental and orthodontic work later as children get older.

If your child has lost a tooth or if you are curious about space maintainers, now is a good time to schedule an appointment with a top orthodontist for a dental exam. Your child may benefit from a space maintainer, and you might inquire whether this is necessary and what kind would work best for them. It is never too soon to start treatment intervention for their teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.orthodonticprecision.com or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at (703) 391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.

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