Free Dental Directory of Diseases, Aliments and Solutions

Normally, as a permanent tooth comes in beneath a baby tooth, the roots of the baby tooth dissolve, and the permanent tooth replaces the baby tooth.  In addition to being important for chewing, the baby tooth holds the adjacent teeth in place.

However, when a baby tooth is lost early due to decay or injury, the adjacent teeth may shift and close the gap left by the missing tooth, thus, causing loss of space in the dental arch.  By placing a space maintainer, this loss of arch space can be prevented.

Depending on the situation, space maintainers are usually cemented in place, but they can be removable in some cases.  Generally two or more appointments are required to complete a space maintainer.

On the first appointment, orthodontic bands are carefully placed and an impression is taken.  A duplicate model of the child's mouth is made from this impression so the dental laboratory can custom fabricate the space maintainer to the exact contours of the mouth.

On the next appointment, your child will try out the space maintainer.  Then the Dentist adjusts it if necessary.  Following this, the space maintainer is cemented in place.  Space maintainers are used until the permanent teeth begin to break through the gums.  

While wearing a space maintainer, it is important to avoid chewing gum, sticky candies, and hard foods like nuts or ice.

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