Clinic Timing: Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 9:00 pm • Sunday Closed
Space Maintainers
What is a Space Maintainer?
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Milk teeth are important for dental development because they hold the place for and help guide adult teeth into their proper places as your child grows. Normally milk teeth are pushed out by adult teeth, but in some cases, a dental emergency or decay and dental caries can cause the premature loss of one or more baby teeth, which may need to be addressed.
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A space maintainer is a custom made dental appliance commonly given in paediatric dental treatments. It can be either removable or fixed. The space maintainer keeps the space between two or more baby teeth open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place.
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Space maintainers are an important treatment option for children because they can help reduce or even eliminate the need for future orthodontic work such as braces.
Not everyone with premature milk teeth loss will need a space maintainer however, regular dental check-ups and a good oral hygiene routine at home are important to prevent such loss.
What are types of Space Maintainer?
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Space maintainers are either fixed or removable. There are different types of space maintainers for different situations and locations in the mouth. The procedure is very simple and routine and can be completed in one or two visits, depending upon the treatment needed.
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Once the space maintainer has been created or placed, it may take a few days to get used to the appliance. Carefully monitor your child to make sure they are wearing it, if the maintainer is removable, and ensure they are following a proper at-home oral hygiene routine.