A dental space maintainer is a device used when a child loses their baby teeth but has some time before their permanent teeth come out. Space maintainers help secure the place for adult teeth to grow and prevent them from being crooked or overcrowded. They can also prevent the nearby teeth from moving into the space where permanent teeth are meant to grow.
If you have a child who has lost their baby teeth early, it is important to consult with an expert for Cedar Park children’s orthodontics. This is especially important when this happens at the back of their mouth, as it can become overcrowded when new teeth erupt. There are permanent and removable space maintainers; your dentist can recommend the best one for your child.
When do children need space maintainers?
Pediatric orthodontics recommends space maintainers for children when they lose one or more teeth at once at a young age. The tooth loss may occur naturally due to an accident, infection, injury, or other reasons. A space maintainer may be required, regardless of the cause.
If you are confused about whether your child should get space maintainers, it is important to remember that this dental device is necessary anytime a child loses teeth prematurely. This is because when your child loses teeth far before their permanent teeth are supposed to come out, the empty space is at risk of closing.
The nearby teeth can shift from their places to fill the empty space and create complications in the future. When the adult teeth erupt, they may not find enough space and look unpleasant.
What do space maintainers look and feel like?
The best thing about space maintainers is that they are custom-made for every patient. Therefore, they will fit you perfectly and won’t feel like they are coming in the way of eating, chewing, or swallowing food. They are made of acrylic or metal and can be fixed or removable. Your orthodontist can recommend the best one for you or your child.
If the missing tooth or teeth space is at the front of your mouth, you can request your dentist to fill it with a false tooth. Discussing every option with your dentist and determining what works best for you is best.
Since spacers are not meant to move or shift your teeth to their correct position, they should not cause any pain. Therefore, your kid won’t have a hard time getting used to them.
Talk to a pediatric dentist today.
