Ask a Pediatric Dentist: What Are Space Maintainers?

Space maintainers are oral appliances primarily used on children to hold the space of baby teeth that fall out prematurely. There are a number of things that can lead to a child’s tooth falling out prematurely, like genetics, trauma, or tooth decay.

Losing a baby tooth prematurely can have serious consequences. Milk teeth serve an important role, holding space for the permanent teeth behind them. The baby tooth helps the permanent tooth to erupt in the proper alignment when it is time to emerge. Children who lose their teeth prematurely and do not get space maintainers are more likely to develop orthodontic issues as their permanent teeth erupt.

Our pediatric dentist goes over everything you should know about space maintainers

A space maintainer does precisely what its name implies, keeping the space left by prematurely lost baby teeth. Teeth often move towards any spaces that develop in a person’s smile to fill up the gap created. This throws the remaining teeth out of their natural alignment, leading to orthodontic issues.

Space maintainers are typically made out of acrylic or metal. The appliance can be fixed in place once a dentist installs them, or it can be removable. Some space maintainers are designed to look like teeth, so they also help to create the illusion of a full smile.

Some of the more popular types of space maintainers include:

• Unilateral: The type of maintainers are recommended when a child has only lost one baby tooth prematurely. One side of the appliance goes around the side of a tooth next to the space, while a metal loop maintains the space
• Lingual: These maintainers are usually recommended for children who have lost multiple teeth. The sides of the device are attached to the child’s molars
• Distal shoe: This type of space maintainer is used for permanent adult molars that have not fully erupted. In some cases, one end of the appliance is inserted into the child’s gum tissues to help preserve the space
• Crown and loop: This involves using a crown to cover up the tooth, and a loop that comes with the appliance is used to maintain the space

The importance of space maintainers

Ideally, a child’s permanent teeth should erupt soon after their milk teeth fall out. The baby tooth keeps space for the permanent tooth, and the permanent tooth helps to keep other teeth properly aligned. A child’s baby teeth erupting prematurely typically leads to their permanent teeth not emerging in their proper positions.

Parents of children who lose their teeth prematurely should visit a pediatric dentist to determine if their child needs a space maintainer. Space maintainers should not cause discomfort, and it only takes a few days for most children to get used to them.

Protect your child’s teeth

A space maintainer can help your child avoid a lifetime of orthodontic issues due to one of their teeth falling out prematurely. Call or visit our Cape Girardeau clinic to set up an appointment with our pediatric dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.pediatricdentistrysemo.com or call Jayne F. Scherrman JS Pediatric Dentistry at (573) 271-3062 for an appointment in our Cape Girardeau office.

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