Space Maintainers
Space Maintainers
Baby teeth play a greater role in your child’s dental health than helping with eating and speaking. They also act as space holders to help with the straight growth of permanent teeth. They also play a role in the development of mouth muscles and jawbone. When a baby tooth comes out early, it can create certain issues. The neighboring teeth can crowd the space for the eruption of a permanent tooth. It can also cause crooked teeth. In such a case, our Pediatric Dentist in Doral, FL can recommend a space maintainer to eliminate the risk of such problems.
What are Space Maintainers?
Space maintainers are appliances that help leave enough space for the eruption of permanent teeth after baby teeth are lost too early. Many parents take things lightly when their child loses a baby tooth prematurely. It can create a gap that can further cause various dental problems.
Some of the common causes of premature loss of primary teeth in babies include:
- Trauma
- Tooth decay
- Accidents
- Congenital defects
Types of Space Maintainers
Based on your child’s dental condition, our Kids Dentist in Doral, FL can recommend the right type of space maintainer for you. The common types of space maintainers include:
- Unilateral Space Maintainers: They are created to fit one side of the mouth. These appliances will wrap around an existing tooth. A metal loop moves into the empty space to preserve it.
- Crown & Loop Space Maintainers: These appliances work in a similar manner as unilateral space maintainers, but use a dental crown over an existing tooth instead of wrapping around it.
- Lingual Space Maintainers: When your child has multiple missing baby teeth, our Pediatric Dentist in Doral, FL can use lingual space maintainers. These appliances are cemented to the insides of the molars and connected to the lower front teeth.
- Distal Shoe Space Maintainers: We will use these space maintainers to create space for the first permanent molar. They are placed into the gum line to make enough space for an erupting tooth.
If your child has lost a primary tooth before time, you should not take it lightly. It is important to consult the Kids Dentist in Doral, FL at Doral Dental Specialty Center to take steps that preserve your child’s dental health.