Dental space maintainers are used to hold or maintain the spaces in between teeth, usually in children.
Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early or need to have a baby (primary) tooth extracted. If either is the case, it is important to know the benefits of using a space maintainer and how it can help support your child’s dental health.
What is a Dental Space Maintainer?
A space maintainer is an appliance this is custom made by a dentist or orthodontist. It can be either removable or fixed (cemented) in the child’s mouth. Its purpose is to keep the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. Baby teeth are important to the development of the teeth, jaw bones and muscles and help guide permanent teeth into position when the baby teeth are lost.
If a space is not held, then teeth can shift into the open space causing crowding or blocking eruption of the permanent tooth. Not every child who loses a baby tooth early requires a space maintainer; however, a consultation with your dentist should be conducted to determine if a spacer is needed.
Types of Space Maintainers:
There are 2 types for children: removable and fixed (or cemented). If your dentist recommends the use of a dental space maintainer, they will also recommend which type is required.
Wearing of the Space Maintainer
Once the space maintainer is made it may take the child a few days to get used to it. The dentist will review with the child and parent the proper way to clean the space thoroughly in order to keep the gum tissue healthy and plaque free.
Once the space maintainer is cemented it will be important to avoid chewy and sugary foods and gum or candy which may loosen or get caught in the appliance.
At Regent Avenue Dental Centre, we can assist with providing more information on dental space maintainers. Contact us today at 204-817-8915.
