Dental Space Maintenance
When a baby tooth is lost too early, maintaining proper space for the permanent tooth is crucial for your child’s dental development. At Montclair Pediatric Dentistry, we use space maintainers to prevent alignment issues and ensure your child’s smile develops correctly.
The Benefits of Space Maintainers
Regular dental exams help identify potential problems before they become serious issues affecting your child’s oral health. These comprehensive check-ups monitor tooth development, growth patterns, and overall dental health throughout childhood.
Proper Alignment
Space maintainers hold the correct amount of space between teeth, preventing alignment problems that could require orthodontic correction later.
Natural Development
Custom-fitted devices allow normal dental development to continue while maintaining space for permanent teeth to emerge in their proper positions.
Simple Care
Space maintainers require only regular brushing and occasional adjustments during routine check-ups to ensure they continue functioning properly.
Easy Monitoring
Regular dental visits allow us to track tooth development and remove the space maintainer when permanent teeth begin to emerge naturally.
Why Choose Us for Space Maintainers?
Proper timing and placement of space maintainers requires pediatric dental expertise.
Specialized Knowledge
Our pediatric dentists understand the complexities of dental development and know exactly when space maintainers are needed.
Custom Solutions
We create space maintainers specifically designed for your child’s mouth and dental needs.
Regular Monitoring
We track your child’s dental development to ensure the space maintainer is working effectively and remove it at the right time.
About Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are custom-made dental devices designed to hold space when a baby tooth is lost too early. These appliances are typically made of stainless steel and/or plastic and are removable when the permanent tooth begins to emerge.
Our team carefully evaluates each case to determine if a space maintainer is necessary. We consider factors such as:
- Which tooth was lost
- The development stage of the permanent tooth
- Your child’s age and dental development
- The position of surrounding teeth
Our Promise to You
We understand the importance of proper dental development for your child’s future smile. Our team carefully monitors your child’s growth and provides clear guidance throughout the space maintenance process, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their dental health.
Protect Your Child's Future Smile
Early loss of baby teeth doesn’t have to lead to dental problems. With proper space maintenance, we can help ensure your child’s permanent teeth develop in their proper positions. Let our experienced team help protect your child’s developing smile.
FAQs
Essential information about space maintainers and their role in your child’s dental development.
What is a space maintainer?
A space maintainer is a custom-made dental appliance that holds the space for a permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost too early. It prevents surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space.
When are space maintainers needed?
Space maintainers are typically needed when a baby tooth is lost significantly earlier than normal due to decay, injury, or other causes, and the permanent tooth isn’t ready to emerge.
How long will my child need to wear a space maintainer?
The duration depends on your child’s dental development. The space maintainer is removed when the permanent tooth begins to emerge, which varies for each child.
Are space maintainers comfortable?
Yes, space maintainers are designed to be comfortable and won’t interfere with daily activities. Most children adjust to them quickly.
How do we care for a space maintainer?
Regular brushing and flossing are important. We’ll provide specific care instructions and monitor the appliance during routine check-ups.
What happens if we don't use a space maintainer?
Without a space maintainer, surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space, leading to alignment problems when permanent teeth emerge. This may require more extensive orthodontic treatment later.