Q: What are space maintainers?
A: Baby teeth may seem like cute, ultimately disposable items. But they actually play a critical role in the development of the mouth. In addition to letting a child chew and speak, baby teeth hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, whether to decay or injury, its neighboring teeth may shift into the gap. This can cause later problems when permanent teeth come in and don't have a reserved spot. The result can be cramped, crooked teeth that, in addition to being unsightly, can affect speech and eating.
One way to address this potential problem is the use of a space maintainer, a device your dentist can insert to keep the spot open for the permanent tooth. The device might be a temporary crown, a wire loop or a spring that spans the gap and prevents teeth from shifting toward the open spot. The dentist will remove the device when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
This is one of the reasons why it's important for even the smallest of patients to receive thorough dental examinations and appropriate treatment. Ask your dentist about the right time to bring your child in for his or her first visit.
|
Top
