Space Maintainers in Middleton, Wisconsin

What Are Space Maintainers?

Space maintainers are pediatric dental devices dentists install in the gap left by missing teeth in a child’s upper or lower jaw. These space maintainers fill in the void left by the missing baby teeth that have fallen out prematurely and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the empty space. This allows the proper growth of permanent adult teeth when they come in.

Space maintainers can be fixed or removable, depending on the specific needs of the patient. Fixed space maintainers are space maintainers that the dentist permanently installs inside the mouth. On the other hand, removable space maintainers are maintainers that children can remove at their volition.

space maintainers in Middleton

Did you know…

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Space maintainers are custom-made to fit each child's unique dental structure?

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The Space Maintainer Treatment Process

Dental Evaluation and Taking X-Rays

The first step in getting space maintainers involves evaluating your child’s oral health by conducting tests and taking x-rays to determine the cause of premature tooth loss and address it. They’ll also determine whether a space maintainer is necessary. If so, the dentist will use a putty-like substance to take impressions of your child’s teeth.

Space Maintainer Type Selection and Fabrication

Our Middleton pediatric dentist will select the best type of space maintainer for your child based on the findings from the initial evaluation. Types of space maintainers include band-and-loop, crown-and-loop, and removable maintainers, among others. After selecting the best type for your child, the dentist will send the impression mold to a lab to manufacture your child’s maintainers.

Fabrication and Placement

The lab usually takes two to three weeks to manufacture the space maintainers depending on the type. After fabrication, the dentist will schedule an appointment to fit and place the space maintainer in your child’s teeth. Placement involves checking its fit, then cementing it to the adjacent teeth with dental cement.

Aftercare Instructions and Regular Checkups

Once the space maintainers are in place, the dentist will give you instructions for caring for your child’s space maintainers. The instructions will guide you on how to maintain your child’s oral health with the space maintainers and what foods your child should eat and avoid. The dentist will also schedule follow-up appointments to check the progress of the treatment.

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Did you know…

Space maintainers are often recommended for children to avoid more extensive orthodontic treatments later on?

READY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?

Call (608) 535-9382 to Book an Appointment

Have Questions About Space Maintainers? Find Answers Here

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Why Would My Child Need a Space Maintainer?

Your child would need a space maintainer for many reasons, but the most common one is to fill the void left by baby teeth that have fallen out prematurely. Teeth adjacent to the gap might close in on it and cause problems to emerging adult teeth.

Sometimes maintainers also form part of certain orthodontic treatments. For instance, the maintainers may guide the eruption of emerging adult teeth while creating space for crowded teeth to space out.

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Will My Child Always Need a Space Maintainer for Missing Teeth?

No, a space maintainer is a temporary device that your child only needs until the adult teeth start to emerge. The dentist will advise you on the timing of the removal, and frequent dental appointments will check the treatment’s progress. Premature removal of the maintainers may lead to problems further down the line.