Your kid's milk teeth have come out earlier than expected, and you are worried if this might be a problem. The solution to your problem lies in space maintainers, which you will get used to within no time at all.

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Why Losing a Baby Tooth Early Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks

The loss of teeth owing to aging is quite common. However, the problem is that not all parents know that the tooth in their children's mouth is just a temporary one because a permanent tooth will emerge from the same spot in time. If for whatever reason the tooth falls out, meaning decay or injury, or if it was deliberately extracted, then all other teeth will fill the void left by the lost one.

Then, when a permanent tooth comes out, there may not be enough space for it; therefore, it may emerge out incorrectly, beneath the gum, affecting other teeth. So, brace yourself; your children will definitely wear them someday.

What Is a Space Maintainer?

Space maintainers should be considered tools meant to occupy space until the permanent tooth appears. This is a small customized piece of equipment that will be made using either metal or a mixture of metal and acrylic for placement in the mouth where the tooth is missing. The main purpose of this device is simply to hold a space until the permanent tooth takes over.

You can be sure that kids adapt quickly to their use. In fact, they tend to forget about them after just two days or less.

Does Your Child Actually Need One?

However, not all cases will need a space maintainer. Nevertheless, this is one issue that needs to be discussed with your dentist. There are certain cases where you will find it compulsory to have a space maintainer.

First of all, one thing that needs to be considered while choosing whether a space maintainer is needed or not is location. In case you have lost your back molar tooth, then chances are that you will need a space maintainer because of the crucial role played by the molar tooth in ensuring proper jaw alignment. However, in the case of your front tooth, a space maintainer may not be needed owing to the swift development of the permanent tooth.

Time is also one issue that needs to be taken into account. The dentist can always choose to wait since the development of the permanent tooth takes place within months. In case the dentist waits for more than a year, you will have to maintain the space.

The Different Types You Might Hear About

Here is a list of some terminology your dentist might use once they advise getting a space maintainer:

• Band and loop – a metallic band is fitted onto one side of the gap between two teeth, and the wire is run across to preserve the open space.
• Crown and loop – this too follows the principle mentioned above but only under the circumstances wherein the tooth needing support needs extra protection.
• Distal shoe – this appliance is used for instances in which a patient prematurely loses a molar and the coming tooth must be guided into its right position.
• Lingual arch – this is the dental appliance that holds a number of teeth together, and the appliance is placed across the lower jaw, extending across two molars on both sides.
• Nance appliance – much like the lingual arch, the appliance runs across the upper jaw but uses a small acrylic plate across the roof of the mouth.
• Removable space maintainers – here the dental appliance takes the form of a mouth guard, allowing removal from the mouth to wash it off.

Most of the above-mentioned appliances are non-removable because through experience it has shown that this method works better.

Keeping a Space Maintainer in Good Shape

However, after the installation of the appliance, there are certain precautions that can be observed for the appliance's longevity. Ensure that the child's teeth around the brackets are brushed gently every day and also try to make sure that he/she still continues to floss. Try to stay away from foods that are sticky in nature, like caramel, taffy, and gum, since they could dislodge the appliance, and also food products that are hard like ice cream, nuts, and even popcorn.

If you find that the space maintainer is becoming loose, uncomfortable, or damaged, you need to contact your dental expert straight away.

The Bottom Line for Parents

Premature tooth loss is far more common than many parents are aware, but this does not mean that such a situation will necessarily lead to an orthodontic problem in the future. When a child loses one or more deciduous teeth prematurely, the installation of an appropriate space maintainer will guarantee enough space for the healthy eruption of the permanent ones.

If by chance your child had a missing tooth at such a young age, this is the best time for you to come here for an evaluation as well as guidance on how to proceed.

Learn more about our orthodontic services at Central Coast Orthodontics.