When a child loses a baby tooth too soon, the neighboring teeth can shift, causing alignment issues as permanent teeth emerge. Space maintainers are small, custom-designed devices that help maintain proper spacing in a child’s mouth until the adult tooth comes in.
Types of Dental Space Maintainers
Space maintainers fall into one of two main categories:
- Fixed space maintainers, which are bonded to adjacent teeth and stay in place until the permanent teeth come in.
- Removable space maintainers, which function similarly to retainers and are typically used for older children who are better at following care instructions.
These appliances prevent crowding, misalignment, and bite issues by keeping the space open, reducing the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later. Most children adjust quickly to space maintainers, and they require minimal maintenance beyond regular brushing and dental visits.
Consult your dentist about the right solution for your child’s needs.
Find the Best Children's Dentist in Miami for Early Orthodontics
If your child loses a baby tooth too early, and you’d like a skilled and compassionate dentist to determine whether a space maintainer is the best solution for keeping their future smile radiant and their bite strong and properly aligned, contact Dr. Paula Egharvba and the excellent Adonias Smiles Dentistry team in Miami to schedule a consultation!