Space maintainers help protect a child’s smile after losing a tooth. Usually, the dentist will recommend space maintainers after removing a primary tooth.
A space maintainer is a custom-made appliance that is used to keep a space open in the mouth. This allows the permanent tooth to erupt and fall into place. Maintainers can consist of different materials. Depending on the case, your dentist can install a fixed or removable maintainer.
Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are important for the development of adult teeth. Moreover, they affect the jaw bone and the surrounding muscles. If a child loses a primary tooth to decay or trauma, the dentist may suggest a space maintainer.
There are generally two types of space maintainers: Removable and fixed.
Removable maintainers are generally made of acrylic and can be removed after the adult tooth falls into place. In some rare cases, an artificial tooth may be used to fill the space if the gap is too large for a removable maintainer.
A fixed maintainer comes in four different forms: Unilateral, crown and loop, distal shoe and lingual. All fixed options are created for more complicated spaces and hold the space more securely.
All children lose their primary teeth, but that does not mean they can lose them at any time.
Premature tooth loss can completely change the appearance of a person’s face and smile. If one primary tooth is missing for a short amount of time, it can also throw the surrounding teeth out of place because they are not properly supported. This can cause permanent damage to someone’s smile.
The location of the lost tooth also plays a role. Children are likely to lose their front teeth in sports and accidents. The teeth near the front of the mouth are more fragile and are more prone to trauma.
For teeth near the back of the mouth, space maintainers may not be needed as there are multiple teeth to hold it in place.
Space maintainers are a great way to prevent cavities and additional sensitivity in teeth. They provide a filling that does not allows small particles to enter the gap left by the former tooth.
In some rare cases of genetic conditions, space maintainers are also an effective way to help hide these conditions to boost self-confidence.
Everyone deserves a perfect smile. Do not let decay or tooth loss prevent your child from loving their smile.
If your child has lost one or more teeth, then their dentist has likely suggested they install space maintainers. If your child has not seen the dentist in some time, please call our office to see how we can stop their teeth from shifting.
Make sure that your child’s adult teeth grow into the correct place with the help of space maintainers.
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.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If your child is concerned about crooked teeth or a bad bite, you may want to consider Invisalign® for teens. This is an alternative to metal or ceramic braces that has numerous benefits, especially for those who are self-conscious about their appearance. There are various reasons why Invisalign may be the right choice, but not…
As a child's mouth and teeth develop throughout their teenage years, it may become apparent that their teeth have misalignment or spacing problems. Invisalign® for teens presents an alternative to traditional metal braces but without sacrificing the quality of the results of corrective treatment. The specifics of a teen’s condition may impact the eligibility of…
Many families with adolescents needing straighter smiles opt for Invisalign® for teens over traditional braces. Braces use wires and frequent adjustments to straighten each tooth. Invisalign clear aligners straighten all the teeth simultaneously, with the patient switching out one set of aligner trays for the next one in the series every two weeks. These aligners…
The teenage years can be awkward, especially for those who have to deal with crooked teeth. Invisalign® presents an alternative to braces for teens. These clear aligners can have the same corrective impact as other treatments with less physical and social discomfort. This article will explore how clear aligners can correct an improper bite.Teenagers may…
If your child is concerned about crooked teeth or a bad bite, you may want to consider Invisalign® for teens. This is an alternative to metal or ceramic braces that has numerous benefits, especially for those who are self-conscious about their appearance. There are various reasons why Invisalign may be the right choice, but not…
As a child's mouth and teeth develop throughout their teenage years, it may become apparent that their teeth have misalignment or spacing problems. Invisalign® for teens presents an alternative to traditional metal braces but without sacrificing the quality of the results of corrective treatment. The specifics of a teen’s condition may impact the eligibility of…