The Role of Space Maintainers In Pediatric Dentistry

Milk or primary teeth are essential for many functions. It helps children chew and speak properly. Losing milk teeth can lead to misalignment of teeth, improper jaw development, and poor oral health. The Canadian Health Measures Survey shows that about 57% of children in Ontario face tooth loss due to cavities.

In such cases, dental space maintainers come as a life savior. They are used to secure the space caused by a missing tooth for an unerupted permanent tooth. Parents should stay updated with their child’s oral health and visit a pediatric dental practice in Whitby,Ontario for routine checkups.

What are space maintainers?

When a baby loses his milk tooth, it leaves behind a space. The surrounding teeth can shift into the gap and lead to alignment problems. To counter this problem, pediatric dentists in Whitby use an oral appliance called the space maintainer to fill the vacant space caused by a missing tooth.

Dental space maintainers are made up of metal or acrylic material. They can be fixed on the affected site or are removable. Fixed space maintainers are permanently attached to your child’s mouth with cement.

However, removable space maintainers are similar to orthodontic appliances and can be taken out of the mouth. Both maintainers have the same function, which is to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap.

This allows the permanent teeth to grow in their correct position. Once your child’s permanent teeth start to emerge, these appliances are removed.

What are the problems caused by early loss of teeth?

If your child loses his baby teeth prematurely, it can lead to serious oral complications, including:

Misaligned teeth: permanent teeth replace the milk teeth differently as they are bigger in size and greater in number. Early teeth loss can lead to them growing in the wrong direction, causing misalignment issues.

Poor jaw development: teeth loss is associated with loss of bone structure in the jaw. In case of premature tooth loss, jaw bones do not develop properly, resulting in poorly formed occlusion.

Poor teeth and gum health: misaligned or crowded teeth can lead to poor oral hygiene, bacteria deposition, and calculus, increasing the risk of infections and bad oral health.

Difficulty in speaking: front teeth play an important role in pronouncing certain sounds correctly. Early loss of front teeth can lead to difficulty in forming complex sound words.

Low self-esteem: loss of teeth is often associated with embarrassment and low self-esteem in children. They often avoid going out to events, which leads to social isolation.

What are the different types of space maintainers?

space-maintainer

A pediatric dentist in Whitby may recommend four types of space maintainers, including:

Unilateral space maintainers: When a child loses a tooth prematurely on one side of their mouth, unilateral space maintainers are applied. During the procedure, a band is attached to a child’s permanent tooth, and a wire loop extends across the space, which prevents the shifting of surrounding teeth into the gap.

Crown and loop space maintainers: these look very similar to unilateral space maintainers. Crown and loop space maintainers are used in cases when there is premature loss of a primary molar. The procedure involves fixing a dental crown over the existing tooth with a metal loop attached extending into the space.

Lingual space maintainers: lingual space maintainers are used in cases where there are multiple missing teeth. They are attached to the inside of the molars with a metal wire connecting them to the lower front teeth.

Distal shoe space maintainers: instead of applying it on the surrounding teeth, distal shoe space maintainers are inserted into the gum line, ensuring enough space for future permanent teeth.

Visit a pediatric dentist today!

If your child has a premature tooth loss, it is essential to seek treatment as early as possible. Schedule an appointment with a dentist in Whitby, Ontario, today!