The Benefits of Space Maintainers

Child Missing TeethFind out how this treatment could prevent teeth from shifting out of alignment.

A child should begin losing their baby teeth around the age of 6 years old; however, if your child is losing their baby teeth to cavities or other issues, then there may be a concern that teeth might shift out of alignment. To combat this, our Amherst, NH, pediatric dentists Dr. James McAveeney and Dr. Andrew Cheifetz may recommend placing a space maintainer.

What is a space maintainer?

If your baby’s molars aren’t present (often due to a congenital abnormality) or if your child has lost teeth a little too young then a space maintainer may be the best approach for preventing teeth from shifting out of place. If these teeth shift out of place they can also affect how adult teeth come in, causing further misalignments or other issues.

A space maintainer will not be necessary if the first six front teeth have fallen out prematurely, as the sole purpose of a space maintainer is to hold the six-year molars in their proper position and to provide a space for the canines and other teeth to come through.

The most common type of space maintainer is a fixed one, which means that the wearer can’t remove the appliance. The appliance will be cemented into place by our Amherst, NH, pediatric dentist to make sure that it is effective at keeping your child’s developing smile in alignment as permanent teeth continue to come in.

What are the benefits of getting a space maintainer for my child?

The most obvious benefit, which we already touched upon, is the fact that a space maintainer will create a holding spot for teeth to erupt, preventing them from shifting out of alignment or causing problems for adult teeth that are trying to come in. For example, a space maintainer is perfect for preventing the movement of premolars (also known as bicuspids) and permanent molars while also creating the ample space for permanent teeth to erupt.

Is your child losing teeth a little earlier than they should? Do you want to know if a space maintainer may preserve their smile as it continues to develop? If so, it’s the perfect time to call our office to learn more about the pediatric dental services we offer here in Amherst, NH. Turn to Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire today.

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