Suppose your child has an extensively decayed or damaged primary tooth. In that case, tooth extraction might be a recommended course of action by Dr. Kruti Sanghavi, our in-house pediatric dentist. Flemington, NJ parents, what should you do if your child loses a baby tooth earlier than anticipated? Consider a space maintainer.
Our Approach to Pediatric Space Maintainers
Space loss is one of the most common dental issues among children who have lost their primary teeth prematurely. At Floss Boss Pediatric Dentistry, we customize space maintainers so that your child can wear them comfortably and get maximum benefits from them. They are mostly made of stainless steel or acrylic, depending on the location and tooth involved. Their main job is to maintain hold of the space and helps the adult teeth to erupt in position. It helps maintain permanent teeth alignment and reduces tipping other teeth into the space.
What are space maintainers for teeth, and are there different types?
Space maintainers in pediatric dentistry are an appliance that controls and preserves space created by premature tooth loss. There are two types of teeth space maintainers, namely:
- Removable space maintainers can go in and out of the mouth for easier cleaning.
- Fixed space maintainers are fixed in one position. They are ideal for younger children because they are virtually impossible to lose.
Does my child need a space maintainer?
If your child loses their baby tooth early, what’s the big deal? Aren’t they going to their primary set of teeth eventually anyways? Here’s the thing. Typically, kids have an underlying adult tooth that pushes out their baby tooth at the perfect time.
On the other hand, if a kid loses their baby tooth too soon and their underlying adult tooth is not ready to emerge, crowding and alignment issues can occur. So, Dr. Sanghavi recommends space maintainers in pediatric dentistry to (well) maintain space! Some benefits of investing in a space maintainer after premature tooth loss include:
Preventing the neighboring teeth from shifting and tipping over
Helping the proper eruption of adult teeth
Saving time and money by minimizing the need for future orthodontic treatment
Preserving your child’s beautiful smile
What happens during a space maintenance visit?
Missing teeth are no match for space maintainers. Pediatric dentistry visits that require space maintainer installation are relatively simple, and here’s what you can expect. First, Dr. Sanghavi and the parent decide which type of space maintenance is needed. Then, a metal band or dental crown is attached to a specialized wire and fits the appliance snugly over the tooth. Dr. Sanghavi will use dental cement to secure it if it’s a fixed space maintainer.
Learn More About Space Maintainers in Flemington, NJ
There are multiple types of space maintainers and orthodontic appliances. Based on your child’s diagnosis and needs, we will suggest the best course of treatment for your child. If it is beyond our treatment scope, we may suggest a second opinion! To learn more about space maintainers or book an appointment, please give us a call at (908) 895-5749, email us at [email protected], or book an appointment online.
