Space maintainers help “hold space” for permanent teeth. Your child may need one if he or she loses a baby tooth prematurely, before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a primary tooth is lost too early, adult teeth can erupt into the empty space instead of where they should be. When more adult teeth are ready to come into the mouth, there may not be enough room for them because of the lost space. To prevent this from happening, the dentist may recommend a space maintainer to hold open the space left by the missing tooth.
Understanding The Placement And Removal Process For Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are a great way to make sure your child’s adult teeth grow into their mouth correctly. If your child loses a baby tooth before they’re supposed to, Dr Gufran may recommend that they get a space maintainer.
Why Would My Child Need A Space Maintainer?
Normally, your child’s baby teeth fall out naturally as their permanent teeth erupt and take their place. But in some cases, your child may lose one or more of their baby teeth early. This could happen due to lots of things, like:
- Dental injuries
- Severe tooth decay
- Tooth infections
- Gum disease
When your child loses a baby tooth early and they don’t get a space maintainer, the nearby teeth will shift toward the empty space in their mouth. This could cause problems when their adult teeth erupt, since the baby teeth help hold the proper space for your child’s adult teeth as they grow. If your child’s teeth have shifted, their adult teeth might not emerge properly, which can cause lots of other complications.
If your child has lost one or more of their baby teeth prematurely, space maintainers are usually recommended by Dr. Gufran at Smile Squad. These are small devices that place pressure on the teeth to prevent them from shifting, and allow your child’s adult teeth to erupt without any issues.
What Type Of Space Maintainer Will My Child Get?
Most kids will get a semi-permanent space maintainer. This type of space maintainer can only be removed by a dentist. The most common type of semi-permanent space maintainer is a “band and loop” space maintainer. There are a few other types of semi-permanent space maintainers available, but they are only needed in certain situations.
Band and loop space maintainers are made of stainless steel. It consists of a steel band that wraps around one of your child’s teeth, which looks similar to the molar bands used to hold braces in place. This band is attached to a loop of metal. This loop of metal presses against the tooth on the other side of the gap, maintaining the proper spacing between their teeth.
Removable space maintainers also may be an option. These are acrylic (plastic) space maintainers that can be removed at any time, like for brushing and flossing. They may be recommended if your child’s adult tooth is about to grow in, and a semi-permanent space maintainer is not necessary.
However, removable space maintainers are not recommended for most kids, though, since they’re not quite as good at maintaining gaps, and some kids may not be diligent about wearing a removable space maintainer.