Maintainers for Children
Space Maintainers in Fort McMurray
A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-fit to your child's mouth.
There are many options available to assist with the proper development of your child's teeth. Contact Timberlea Services Centre to book a consultation with one of our dentists to learn more.
Space Maintainers
When a child loses a baby tooth too early due to decay, infection or an accident it creates a situation that requires attention. The purpose of a baby tooth is to keep the space available for the permanent tooth developing and to be able to have enough room for it to properly erupt.
When a tooth is lost the teeth on either side of the now empty space will quickly begin to move into its space. If unnoticed or untreated the permanent tooth can become impacted, and this could require surgery to get the tooth to move into its proper position.
There are several types of space maintainers that may be recommended by the dentist for your child. Learn more by clicking on the type below:
Removable Maintainers are similar to orthodontic appliances that are usually made of acrylic and use artificial teeth to hold the space open for the un-erupted teeth.
The unilateral space maintainer wraps around the outside of the tooth and is connected to a metal loop that holds the space open for one tooth.
The crown and loop is an actual crown that covers the tooth and is attached to the loop to ensure there is space for the erupting tooth.
The distal shoe space maintainer is the least common and usually used for an unerupted first permanent molar tooth. It is a space maintainer where the end of the metal is usually inserted into the gum line to keep the open space from closing.
The lingual space maintainer is usually used for more than one missing tooth. A wire is placed on the inside of the lower front teeth and cemented to molar teeth.
Caring For Your Space Maintainer
It may take your child a few days to get accustomed to wearing the appliance. Your dentist will review oral hygiene instructions with you and your child for proper brushing and flossing in order to keep the gum’s healthy and free of plaque.
If the space maintainer is fixed, it is important to avoid chewy candy, gum, sticky and sugary foods, which can loosen or get caught in the appliance.
Once the space maintainer has been placed it is important that the child be checked regularly, so that the appliance can be removed at the appropriate time. The space maintainer itself could prevent the final eruption of the permanent tooth, so monitoring is essential.
Speak With One of Our Dentists For More Information
There are many options available to assist with the proper development of your child's teeth. Contact Timberlea Services Centre to book a consultation with one of our dentists to learn more.
