If your child has prematurely lost a baby tooth, either from tooth decay, injury, or just naturally, a space maintainer might be recommended! River Harmony Dental is pleased to offer space maintainers to help reduce the remaining teeth shifting into the newly vacant space, which would not leave room for permanent teeth to come in and can lead to problems.
Has your child lost a baby tooth early? Contact us today to find out if a space maintainer is appropriate for their developing smile.
All services are provided by Dr. Traora Grant, a general dentist.
What Is a Space Maintainer?
A space maintainer is a dental device used to support the future oral health of your child, by helping support the development of permanent teeth. It is designed to help maintain the space between teeth after a baby tooth falls out, supporting room for permanent teeth to develop and grow normally. Usually made from metal and custom designed to fit each patient’s mouth, they support proper development of a child’s permanent teeth. This may help reduce the need for more extensive dental treatment later on.
Does My Child Need a Space Maintainer?
Space maintainers are usually needed when a child loses a tooth before the permanent replacement has developed or is ready to erupt. This can occur because of tooth decay, injury, or sometimes it happens naturally. If a baby tooth comes out before the adult tooth is ready, the surrounding teeth can shift into the newly empty space. When this occurs, there is no room for the permanent tooth once it is ready to erupt. If sufficient space is not left for the permanent teeth, this can lead to overcrowding, bite problems, and impacted teeth.
Address Space Concerns Early
If your child has lost any teeth, we recommend a dental exam by one of our dental team members, to see if they might benefit from a space maintainer in Cochrane, AB! River Harmony Dental is committed to helping address present concerns to support future dental health! If you think your child might need a space maintainer, or if you have any questions at all about space maintainers, please reach out to River Harmony Dental and we will be happy to help.
