Ideally, every child should keep their baby teeth until they naturally fall out on their own. Despite our best efforts, early tooth loss can occur due to injuries, accidents, or decay. In such cases, remaining teeth may shift into the open space, hindering proper eruption and alignment of permanent teeth. To prevent this, we provide space maintainers for children in the Colorado Springs area who have experienced early tooth loss. Without the use of a space maintainer, the teeth that surround the open space can shift, preventing the permanent tooth’s eruption. When that happens, the need for orthodontic braces becomes greater.
Types of Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are personalized appliances crafted to fit the unique contours of your child's mouth. They are made of stainless steel, and there are several types of space maintainers available, including those that are fixed in place or are fully removable. Dr. Sean will recommend the best type for your child based on factors such as the tooth’s location that was lost and your child’s age.
Fixed space maintainers come in several different designs, including:
- Band-and-loop maintainers: This type of maintainer is made of stainless steel and held in place with a crown or a band on the tooth adjacent to the empty space. The wire is attached to the crown or loop and rests against the side of the tooth on the other end of the space.
- Distal shoes: These may be recommended when a second primary molar has been lost prior to the eruption of the first permanent molar. Because there is no permanent molar to hold a band-and-loop space maintainer, the distal shoe has a metal wire inserted slightly beneath the gums to prevent the space from closing.
- Lingual arch: These are used on the lower teeth when the back teeth on both sides of the jaw are lost. A wire is placed on the lingual (tongue) side of the arch and is attached to the tooth in front of the open space on both sides. This prevents the front teeth from shifting backwards into the gap.
Caring for Your Child’s Space Maintainer
There are four general rules for taking care of your child’s appliance.
- Your child should avoid sticky foods, including candy and chewing gum.
- Encourage your child not to push or tug on the space maintainer with the fingers or tongue.
- Keep your child’s space maintainer clean through effective brushing and flossing.
- Your child should continue to see the pediatric dentist for regular 6 month dental visits.
With the use of a space maintainer after early tooth loss, your child may be able to avoid more costly orthodontic care later in life. If you are located in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Monument, Briargate, Buena Vista or surrounding areas and your child has experienced the early loss of a baby tooth, call Simply Kids Dental at (719) 598-5437!
