When your child loses a baby tooth too early due to injury, decay, or extraction, the empty space may seem harmless at first. However, that gap can lead to serious orthodontic problems as remaining teeth begin to shift into the vacant area, potentially blocking the path for permanent teeth to emerge properly.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Drs. Tesha Waggoner and Audrey Mikkelson understand that losing baby teeth prematurely is more common than many parents realize. Our team helps families understand when space maintainers are necessary and how these simple devices can prevent complex orthodontic issues that might require extensive treatment later.
Understanding Space Maintainers
A space maintainer is a small appliance designed to hold open the space where a baby tooth was lost prematurely. These devices prevent adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space, ensuring that permanent teeth have adequate room to erupt in their proper positions.
Baby teeth serve as natural placeholders for permanent teeth, maintaining the correct spacing and alignment in your child’s mouth. When a baby tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to emerge, the surrounding teeth may begin to move toward the empty space. This shifting can create crowding issues and force permanent teeth to come in crooked or in incorrect positions.
Space maintainers are typically made from metal or plastic and are custom-fitted to your child’s mouth. They’re designed to be comfortable and functional while effectively preserving the necessary space for proper tooth development.
Types of Space Maintainers
Fixed space maintainers are cemented to adjacent teeth and cannot be removed by the child. These are often preferred because they stay in place consistently and don’t require the child to remember to wear them. Band and loop maintainers are common fixed options that use a metal band around one tooth with a wire loop extending to hold the space.
Removable space maintainers can be taken out for cleaning and eating, but require the child’s cooperation to wear them consistently. These appliances work best for older children who can responsibly manage wearing and caring for their device.
The type of space maintainer recommended depends on your child’s age, the location of the missing tooth, and how long the appliance needs to remain in place.
When Does Your Child Need a Space Maintainer?
There are several situations where your child may benefit from a space maintainer, including the following:
Early Tooth Loss Scenarios
Children typically lose baby teeth in a predictable sequence between ages 6 and 12. When teeth are lost significantly earlier than expected, space maintainers may be necessary. Common reasons for premature tooth loss include severe decay, dental trauma from accidents or sports injuries, and congenital absence of certain teeth.
Not every early tooth loss requires a space maintainer. Front baby teeth that are lost early typically don’t need space maintenance because they don’t affect the alignment of back teeth, where most chewing occurs. However, premature loss of back baby teeth, especially molars, often requires intervention to prevent orthodontic complications.
Factors We Consider
When determining if your child needs a space maintainer, we evaluate several factors. The age of your child and how much time will pass before the permanent tooth emerges influence our recommendation. If the permanent tooth is expected to erupt within six months, a space maintainer may not be necessary.
We also consider the amount of space available and whether adjacent teeth have already begun to shift. X-rays help us assess the position and development stage of the permanent tooth waiting to emerge.
Your child’s oral hygiene habits and ability to care for the appliance also factor into our decision, especially when considering removable options.
Benefits of Space Maintainers
Space maintainers can be essential for maintaining your child’s oral health. Some advantages include:
Preventing Orthodontic Problems
The primary benefit of space maintainers is preventing costly and complex orthodontic treatment later. When permanent teeth have adequate space to emerge properly, they’re more likely to come in straight and well-aligned. This can reduce or eliminate the need for braces or other orthodontic interventions during the teenage years.
Space maintainers also help preserve proper bite function by maintaining correct spacing between teeth. This ensures that your child can chew effectively and speak clearly as their permanent teeth develop.
Cost-Effective Prevention
Installing a space maintainer is typically much less expensive than the orthodontic treatment that might be needed if teeth are allowed to shift. By addressing spacing issues early, families can often avoid more extensive and costly dental work in the future.
Space maintainers also help maintain the natural timeline for tooth eruption, allowing permanent teeth to emerge when they’re developmentally ready rather than being forced into compromised positions.
What to Expect During Treatment
Knowing what to expect can help you and your child feel more comfortable and prepared. The following outlines our comprehensive treatment process:
Getting the Space Maintainer
The process of getting a space maintainer typically requires two appointments. During the first visit, we take impressions of your child’s teeth to create a custom-fitted appliance. We also discuss the type of maintainer that will work best for your child’s specific situation.
Our office is designed to help children feel comfortable during dental procedures. We offer helpful accommodations such as weighted blankets and low lighting for children who may benefit from these comfort measures. Children can also watch a movie during their treatment to help them stay relaxed and entertained.
Our in-office dog, Meyers, is great with children of all abilities and often helps create a more welcoming atmosphere for young patients who might feel nervous about getting their new appliance.
Fitting and Adjustment
At the second appointment, we place the space maintainer and ensure it fits properly and comfortably. We encourage parents to serve as silent observers or helpers during the appointment, allowing our trained team to guide your child through the process using our pediatric approach.
We’ll provide detailed instructions on caring for the appliance and what to expect as your child adjusts to wearing it. Most children adapt to their space maintainer within a few days.
Caring for Space Maintainers
Proper care of the space maintainer is essential for its effectiveness and your child’s oral health. For fixed maintainers, regular brushing and flossing around the appliance helps prevent plaque buildup and gum irritation. We may recommend special flossing tools to help clean around the device more effectively.
Children with removable space maintainers should clean their appliance daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. The device should be stored safely when not being worn to prevent damage or loss.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can damage space maintainers or get stuck around them, causing discomfort or hygiene issues. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods like caramel, gum, popcorn, and ice should be avoided. We’ll provide a comprehensive list of foods to limit while your child wears their space maintainer.
For children younger than three who may need space maintainers, it’s important to continue brushing their teeth even if they resist, being encouraging and loving during this process.
Monitoring and Follow-Up Care
Regular checkups allow us to monitor the space maintainer and ensure it continues to fit properly as your child grows. We’ll also watch for signs of the permanent tooth beginning to emerge, which indicates when the space maintainer can be removed.
If the appliance becomes loose, damaged, or causes discomfort, contact our office promptly. We have an on-call dentist available for urgent situations that arise after regular office hours.
Sometimes minor adjustments are needed as your child’s mouth changes and grows. These adjustments help ensure the continued comfort and effectiveness of the space maintainer.
Supporting Your Child’s Oral Health Journey
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in helping children develop positive dental habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. Space maintainers are just one tool we use to support proper oral development and prevent future complications. Our experience treating children of all abilities, combined with our compassionate approach and child-friendly environment, ensures your child receives the best possible care. We’re proud to participate in community events like the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk and support organizations like Smile Oregon, reflecting our commitment to serving all children in our community.Contact us today at (503) 292-9274 or schedule a consultation through our contact form to discuss whether your child might benefit from a space maintainer and learn more about our comprehensive approach to pediatric dental care.
