Why Do Kids Need Space Maintainers?
Posted on September 27th, 2021
If your child loses a tooth too soon or needs a baby tooth extracted due to decay, Dr. Buchholtz & Dr. Garro may recommend space maintainers to support their dental health.
Space maintainers are custom-made acrylic or metal dental appliances that can either be removable or cemented into the mouth. Their purpose is to keep the space open for the future permanent tooth or teeth. Baby teeth are essential to the development of permanent teeth, jawbones and muscles, which guide those adult teeth into the place absent baby teeth once were.
If there is no space for permanent teeth to grow, teeth can shift drastically enough for orthodontics to be needed. Not every child with premature baby tooth loss needs space maintainers, but a consultation with Family Dental Practice is advisable to see if a space maintainer is the best solution.
Dr. Buchholtz & Dr. Garro can also advise you about best practices for eating habits and oral hygiene for fixed space maintainers. Your child should be seen regularly by their dentist or orthodontist to monitor the space maintainer’s progress and keep their professional cleaning appointments with Dr. Buchholtz & Dr. Garro.
If you think your child may need a space maintainer, get in touch with Family Dental Practice today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
About Dr. Buchholtz & Dr. Garro
Dr. Will Buchholtz is dedicated to improving each patient’s overall dental health. He has a comprehensive approach to helping each patient using progressive treatment techniques in the most efficient ways. As he continues to advance his education and incorporating the latest dental innovation and techniques into his daily practice, Dr. Will improves the quality of his patient’s lives. He has completed extensive advanced training in bone grafting, sinus lifts and advanced implant techniques.
