Space Maintenance
With space maintenance appliances, or space maintainers, used in children’s orthodontics, we can preserve space in the mouth to allow for permanent teeth to emerge in alignment.
These specialized appliances can prevent teeth from growing crowded or crooked, and ensure that your little one’s smile is developing on the right path.
Who Needs a Space Maintainer?
When a child loses a baby tooth prematurely, due to decay or injury, space maintenance may be needed to preserve space in the mouth and allow for proper eruption of permanent teeth.
Each baby tooth serves as a guide for the incoming permanent tooth, and without it, the other teeth may shift, leading to a lack of space for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.
This can result in crooked or crowded teeth, and often, the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later on.
Space maintenance is an essential preventative measure that can save your child from challenges and discomfort associated with misalignments, prevent lengthy treatments, and save you money that would otherwise be required for complex treatments in the future.
The Benefits of Space Maintenance in Orthodontics
Prevents Future Orthodontic Issues
- Space maintenance helps prevent the development of dental issues like crowding, misalignment, and impaction that can occur when a baby tooth is lost prematurely. By keeping the space open for the incoming permanent tooth, it ensures the tooth has enough room to grow in correctly.
Promotes Proper Dental Development
- Baby teeth play a crucial role in your child's dental development, guiding the permanent teeth into their correct positions. Space maintenance ensures that this guidance is not lost when a baby tooth is lost prematurely.
Simple And Painless Procedure
- The procedure for placing a space maintainer is relatively simple and painless. It involves taking an impression of your child's mouth, creating a custom-fitted appliance, and then cementing it into place.
The Space Maintenance Treatment Process
1. Assessment and Planning
The process begins with a thorough examination of your child’s mouth to assess the need for a space maintainer. This includes taking X-rays to get a detailed view of the teeth and jaw.
If a space maintainer is deemed necessary, your board-certified Simi Valley children’s orthodontist will discuss the treatment plan with you, explaining the procedure and answering any questions you may have.
2. Creating the Space Maintainer
Next, an impression of your child’s mouth is taken. This mold is sent to a dental lab, where the space maintainer is custom-made to fit your child’s mouth precisely.
This ensures the appliance is comfortable and effective in preserving the space for the incoming permanent tooth.
3. Placing the Space Maintainer
Once the space maintainer is ready, it is cemented onto the adjacent teeth to hold the space open.
Dr. Albert will carefully check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your child’s comfort.
Regular check-ups will be scheduled to monitor the appliance and the progress of the incoming permanent tooth.