If your child has prematurely lost a baby tooth, either from tooth decay, injury, or just naturally, a space maintainer might be recommended! River Harmony Dental is pleased to offer space maintainers to help prevent the remaining teeth from shifting into the newly vacant space, which would not leave room for permanent teeth to come in and can lead to problems.
Your South Cochrane Choice for Space Maintainers!
What is a Space Maintainer?
A space maintainer is a dental device used to improve the future oral health of your child, by helping permanent teeth develop properly. It is designed to preserve the space between teeth after a baby tooth falls out, leaving enough room for permanent teeth to develop and grow normally. Usually made from metal and custom designed to fit each patient’s mouth, they ensure a child’s permanent teeth will come in properly with a comfortable bite, normal function, and pleasing aesthetic. This can ensure that children avoid the need for costly and extensive dental repairs later on.
Does my Child Need a Space Maintainer?
Space maintainers are usually needed when a child loses a tooth before the permanent replacement has developed or is ready to erupt. This can occur because of tooth decay, injury, or sometimes it happens naturally. If a baby tooth comes out before the adult tooth is ready, the surrounding teeth can shift into the newly empty space. When this occurs, there is no room for the permanent tooth once it is ready to erupt. If sufficient space is not left for the permanent teeth, this can lead to overcrowding, bite problems, and impacted teeth.
