Space Maintainers
Baby teeth are not just used for chewing. Each one also serves as a framework for the formation of the permanent tooth that will eventually replace it. Early tooth loss can lead to space limitation and impaction of the permanent teeth. The earlier the tooth is lost, the higher the possibility of space loss.
The baby tooth is the ideal space maintainer, and every step must be taken to preserve these teeth intact or to restore them if they are decaying. When a tooth must be extracted, space maintainers can be utilized to keep the space open for the permanent tooth.
- They could be lost as a result of a fall or other accident
- They could require extraction due to serious decay that causes infection
- They might be missing at birth
Each space maintainer is handcrafted by a dentist or orthodontist.
A metal band is wrapped around one of the teeth close to the area for a fixed space maintainer, and impressions are produced. Impressions are produced with a soft, toothpaste-flavored substance. It forms a gel all around teeth and can be easily removed from the mouth. This enables the laboratory to create a duplicate of the teeth for use in the space maintainer. The band is also removed and sent together with the impressions to the dental laboratory. Then the space maintainer is created in the lab. At the following clinic visit, your child’s dentist will cement it in position. A space maintainer could sometimes be created in the clinic in a single visit without generating any impressions.
Your child’s dentist will cleanse the space maintainer every 6 months and collect X-rays on a regular basis to monitor the growth of the upcoming permanent. The space maintainer is removed when the tooth is about to emerge. If your child’s permanent tooth is missing, the space maintainer will be utilized until his or her growth is complete. The space will then be filled with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture by your specialist.