Just 4 kiDDS Dentistry & Orthodontics
Space Maintainers
Why does my child need a space maintainer?
If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, a space maintainer will maintain the space of the tooth to ensure that other teeth do not invade the space.
Once the adult tooth begins to grow in, we’ll remove the space maintainer. Without the space maintainer, it may take years of orthodontic treatment to create enough space for the adult tooth.
Space Maintainers
What happens if my child doesn’t have a space maintainer placed?
After a baby tooth has been lost prematurely, neighboring teeth will begin to crowd the area, making it difficult for the adult tooth to erupt and come into its proper place. Once the gap or space has closed, the only way to correct it is through orthodontic treatment.
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Space Maintainers
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the big deal? Aren't baby teeth supposed to fall out?
Yes, it's true that all baby teeth fall out eventually, but some aren't replaced until the child is 12-13 years old! If your child loses a primary molar at 8 years of age, they have several years to develop a need for orthodontic treatment that could have been prevented with a space maintainer.
Do space maintainers need extra care?
To keep space maintainers in the mouth, it's important to avoid sticky candy or sticky foods. Space maintainers are only attached to the neighboring tooth with a bit of cement, so it will easily come off when it needs to.
Space maintainers should also be brushed regularly; paying extra attention to the gumline, below, and above the tooth ring. Foods that get lodged into the space maintainer can cause cavities if not cleared daily.
Space maintainers should also be brushed regularly; paying extra attention to the gumline, below, and above the tooth ring. Foods that get lodged into the space maintainer can cause cavities if not cleared daily.
My child's space maintainer fell out, what do I do?
Give us a call if your child's space maintainer has fallen out. It won't take us very long to re-cement it. It's okay if a few days pass without the space maintainer, but keep in mind the longer you wait there is a chance it might no longer fit properly.
Parent Testimonials
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My children and I had an excellent experience at this office. The staff was friendly from the front office, the hygienists, and the dentist himself. They took their time to explain everything to me and interacted well with the children. The kids loved the theater experience and toys in the waiting room, and especially loved being able to watch a movie during their teeth cleaning. They have been asking to go back and were disappointed to have to wait another 6 months.
"The waiting room has a train table, video games, a doll house, and they have a theater room playing a movie. They also have tv screens above the chairs so the kids can watch while they get their teeth cleaned. The hygienist was so great with my kids; they were actually having fun. Highly recommended!”
Hours
Mon 8AM-5PM
Tues 8AM-5PM
Wed 8AM-5PM
Thurs 7AM-4PM
Fri 8AM-2PM
Tues 8AM-5PM
Wed 8AM-5PM
Thurs 7AM-4PM
Fri 8AM-2PM
