When a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, the remaining teeth can shift, causing alignment issues and potentially complicating the eruption of permanent teeth. Space maintainers offer a simple yet effective solution to this common childhood dental challenge. At Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, we provide custom space maintainers to preserve proper tooth spacing and promote healthy dental development for our young patients.
Our team of pediatric dental specialists understands the importance of maintaining appropriate space in your child’s mouth following premature tooth loss. We’re committed to providing preventive treatments that support proper dental development and help avoid more complex orthodontic interventions in the future.
Space maintainers are custom-made dental appliances designed to “hold space” for permanent teeth after a baby tooth has been lost prematurely due to injury, decay, or other dental issues. These simple devices work by keeping the space open where a baby tooth has been lost, preventing adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space and ensuring that permanent teeth have room to emerge in their proper positions.
Space maintainers can be made from metal or acrylic materials and may be removable or fixed (cemented to the teeth), depending on your child’s specific needs.
Not every prematurely lost baby tooth requires a space maintainer. However, these appliances are often recommended when:
During your child’s examination, our pediatric dentists will evaluate whether a space maintainer would benefit your child’s dental development. We use digital X-rays and thorough clinical evaluations to make appropriate recommendations based on your child’s unique situation.
Choosing to use a space maintainer when recommended offers several important benefits for your child’s long-term dental health:
By investing in this simple preventive dentistry measure, you may help your child avoid more complex and costly dental interventions in the future.
Getting a space maintainer at Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry is a straightforward process:
Our team will provide detailed instructions on caring for the space maintainer and will be available to address any questions or concerns that arise.
The duration varies depending on each child’s individual development. Typically, a space maintainer remains in place until the permanent tooth begins to erupt into the space. This could be anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on your child’s age when the baby tooth was lost and their natural developmental timeline.
During regular check-ups, our pediatric dentists will monitor your child’s development and determine when it’s appropriate to remove the space maintainer.
Our pediatric dental specialists have extensive training and experience in managing the dental development of growing children. When it comes to space maintainers, this expertise matters. At Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, we offer:
We make the entire process comfortable and stress-free for both children and parents, addressing any concerns along the way.
Our pediatric dental specialists will evaluate your child’s unique situation and recommend appropriate treatment options to support their dental development. With the right preventive care, including space maintainers when needed, we can help your child develop a healthy, well-aligned smile that will last a lifetime.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or complete our online form to request a consultation. At Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, we’re committed to providing the specialized care children need for optimal oral health and development.
If your child has lost a baby tooth prematurely or you’re concerned about their dental development, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations.
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