Protecting Tooth Alignment with Space Maintainers

If your child’s teeth are not coming in properly, or if they have lost a tooth, a space maintainer may be necessary to protect their dental alignment. A space maintainer is a removable device that is worn in the mouth to keep the spaces between the teeth open. This allows the teeth to grow correctly and prevents them from shifting out of place. In this blog post, we will discuss how space maintainers work and how they can help protect your child’s smile!

What are Space Maintainers?

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out, but sometimes a child may lose a tooth before their adult teeth are ready to grow in. While it might not seem like a big problem at the moment, it can lead to more problems if not maintained properly. Dentists can place devices called space maintainers in your child’s mouth to ensure that their adult teeth will grow properly.

Space maintainers are made of metal or plastic and are custom-fitted to your child’s mouth. They fit in the space between their teeth and can be adjusted as needed. The device works by keeping the gap between their baby teeth open, preventing other teeth from moving into that space. This allows the permanent tooth to come in properly without crowding or misaligning the other teeth.

Space maintainers are typically used when a baby tooth is lost too early, either due to decay or trauma. Without a space maintainer, the teeth can shift and crowd each other, leading to crooked or crowded adult teeth. Space maintainers also help protect the alignment of your child’s bite.

How do Space Maintainers Work?

Space maintainers are attached to the teeth with either a “band and loop” or a “fixed bridge” design. The band and loop space maintainer is made of metal and consists of two pieces. A wire that loops around the tooth, and a plastic retainer that fits over the wire. The fixed bridge space maintainer is a metal or plastic appliance. It connects two or more teeth together with metal bands.

Once the space maintains have been fitted, your child can remove them for cleaning and eating. However, they should wear them while sleeping. They will also need to be adjusted as their mouth grows.

Not all space maintainers are the same. In fact, choosing the right fit for your child’s needs is handled specifically by Dr. Cat. She will work with you and your child to find the kind that will work best.

Patients can choose between removable devices or fixed devices. Removable devices are kind of like an orthodontic retainer and can be removed for eating and cleaning.

A fixed space maintainer is affixed to the teeth or gums around the vacated tooth space. Fixed space maintainers are often used for small children not quite old enough to care for a removable device or for young patients that have lost a tooth in the back of the mouth.

After Care

Once a space maintainer is in place, your child will need to take extra care of their teeth. This includes brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, as well as regular dental checkups with Dr. Cat to ensure that the device is fitting properly.

Space maintainers are not just for young children; adults can also benefit from them. If you or your child have lost a tooth, talk to Dr. Cat about how a space maintainer can help protect your dental alignment and keep your smile healthy!

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles Today

Losing baby teeth too early can endanger future smiles which is where space maintainers step in. Space maintainers are dental devices used for children that lose baby teeth before their adult teeth have had a chance to grow in. Not only do these devices help safeguard your child’s dental health as he grows, but they also ensure that his future smile results as it should. So, if your child is missing a tooth, talk to Dr. Cat about whether a space maintainer would help. At Li’l Sunshine Smiles, Dr. Cat and her team of professionals are here to help you and your child maintain a healthy smile. Our goal is to provide the highest quality dental care in a comfortable environment. If you think that your child may need a space maintainer or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment!