Space Maintainer in Early Baby Tooth Loss

Space Maintainer in Early Baby Tooth Loss

Milk teeth are of great importance for the facial and jaw development of children. Most milk teeth are supposed to fall out by the age of 12 and be replaced by permanent teeth. However, it is very difficult to protect all milk teeth until this age. Many children suffer from tooth decay and inflammation, not getting enough breast milk, using the bottles and pacifier incorrectly, etc. Because of these reasons, they lose their milk teeth early. The space maintainer is the name given to the treatment method applied to prevent these children with early tooth loss from encountering orthodontic problems in the future.

Fixed and Removable Space Maintainers

Not every missing tooth requires the use of space maintainers. Space maintainers are recommended for teeth that are lost before their natural time. After a short examination, a specialist pediatric dentist decides which teeth space maintainers should be applied.

There are two types of space maintainers, fixed and removable. Depending on age, the number of teeth lost, general tooth condition and development, fixed or removable space-maintainer appliances are preferred. Fixed appliances, as the name suggests, are metal appliances that do not move after being placed. These are placed by dentists in one session and can only be removed by them. Removable space maintainers are more comfortable to use as they can be attached and removed at any time. Removable appliances are more preferred over fixed ones.

How Do Space Maintainers Work?

 The first step in the treatment is to take the patient's dental measurements and decide which type of space maintainers to use. Dental technicians prepare those maintainers according to the measurements taken. The next step is to mount them in the mouth. Fixed space maintainers can be applied in one session. These appliances replace missing teeth and create a healthy and straight tooth alignment.

Children who do not use spacer appliances have crowded and decay-prone teeth. Missing teeth also prevent the development of chewing function.

What to Do after Getting Space Maintainers Placed?

 After the treatment, the patient should take their oral and dental health even more seriously. If removable space maintainers are using, the appliance must be removed while eating. Appliances must be gently cleaned and reused. Care should be taken not to deform or bend the appliances. In the opposite case, you should contact your dentist immediately without forcing the appliances.

You can contact us via our contact information to meet with Pediatric dentists at Okutan Dental Polyclinic and get more information about treatments.