At Smile Buds Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer specialized treatments such as space maintainers for our young patients in Glassell Park. Space maintainers are dental devices custom-made to fit into a child's mouth, filling the space left by a lost baby tooth until the permanent tooth emerges. They play a crucial role in maintaining the correct alignment and spacing of teeth, preventing future orthodontic issues. Our skilled dentists, Dr. Anna Shahinian & Dr. Sia Novshadian, have extensive experience in this field, ensuring your child's oral health is in the best hands.
If your child has lost a baby tooth prematurely due to an accident or dental decay, a space maintainer is often recommended. This is because the premature loss of a baby tooth can lead to neighboring teeth drifting into the empty space, resulting in misalignment when the permanent tooth tries to emerge. Space maintainers hold the space open, preventing this movement and ensuring that there is enough room for the permanent tooth to grow in correctly. This can save your child from needing more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Space maintainers are crucial in preventing misalignment of permanent teeth. When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the neighboring teeth can shift into the empty space, causing the new tooth to emerge out of place. A space maintainer holds this space open, allowing the permanent tooth to grow in its correct position.
By ensuring that the permanent teeth emerge in their correct position, space maintainers can potentially save your child from needing more extensive and costly orthodontic treatment in the future. This means less time spent in the dentist's chair and more time for your child to enjoy their childhood.
At Smile Buds Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our space maintainers are custom-made to fit your child's mouth perfectly. This ensures that they are comfortable to wear and do not interfere with your child's ability to eat, speak, or maintain their oral hygiene.
During the initial consultation, our dentists will conduct a thorough examination of your child's oral health. If a space maintainer is deemed necessary, we will take impressions of your child's mouth to ensure the device fits perfectly.
The impressions are sent to a dental lab where the space maintainer is custom-made. Once ready, it is fitted into your child's mouth. Our dentists will make sure it's comfortable and fits properly.
After the space maintainer is fitted, regular check-ups are essential to monitor your child's oral health and adjust the device if necessary. These visits also allow our dentists to determine when the permanent tooth is ready to emerge, at which point the space maintainer can be removed.
Space maintainers can be either removable or fixed, depending on the child's needs and the dentist's recommendation.
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Good oral hygiene is essential. Your child should brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup around the space maintainer. Avoid sticky or hard foods that could damage the appliance. Follow the dentist's specific care instructions.
