BRENT CAPLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IN ROGERS, AR
Space Maintenance
What is space maintenance and who needs it?
Space maintenance is the process of maintaining space between teeth when primary teeth (baby teeth) are lost prematurely.
Although the majority of children begin the process of losing their baby teeth around the ages of 5 or 6, teeth are sometimes lost early due to injury or extraction because of decay. Whatever the reason for early tooth loss, a pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer.
A space maintainer is a device made of stainless steel or plastic that can be cemented onto a surrounding tooth or work like a removable retainer. The maintainer takes up the space between the two teeth in order to maintain the necessary space for the permanent tooth to come in when it is ready. Not all teeth that are lost early require space maintainers, but Dr. Caple usually recommends them if the permanent tooth is not yet ready to come in or if a permanent tooth is missing.
It is important to note that space maintenance is not necessary for early loss of front upper and lower teeth because these spaces generally stay open on their own. However, artificial teeth may be needed to aid in speech or for cosmetic purposes.
What type of space maintainers are used?
There are several types of space maintainers and each of them serve different purposes for patients with different needs and abilities.
If a tooth is lost one one side of the jaw, a unilateral (one-sided) spacer is used. They are usually described as “band loops”. If a tooth or teeth is lost on both sides of the upper or lower arch, then a bilateral (two-sided) space is used. These are described as a “nance holding arch” for the upper teeth, or a “lower lingual holding arch” for the lower teeth.
What are the risks and benefits of space maintenance?
The benefits of space maintainers lie largely in their prevention of orthodontic problems and expenses down the road.
In contrast, the risks of space maintainers mainly come from neglecting oral hygiene during use or not caring properly for the appliance. With lack of oral hygiene comes a risk of infection and even possible tooth damage. There can also be a risk of breaking or causing it to come loose if the child doesn’t follow the instructions specific to the appliance used.
To avoid the cost and time of replacement of space maintainers, please ensure your child avoids sticky foods such as hard candy, caramel and taffy. Also, remind your child not to play with the new appliance with his or her fingers or tongue.
Regular six month checkups are recommended to make sure the appliance is still fitting properly, that the cement has not washed out, or the band has become loose. If you notice the tooth erupting improperly under or going around the space maintainer, please call our office for an appointment.
To learn more about space maintenance for children and to schedule an appointment at the office of pediatric dentist, Dr. Brent Caple, please request an appointment online or call our office today. Dr. Caple’s pediatric dental clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, serves families across Northwest Arkansas. We are always accepting new patients, and look forward to partnering with you to help your child enjoy a lifetime of oral and dental health.
To schedule an appointment at the office of Brent Caple, DDS, pediatric dentist serving Northwest Arkansas, request an appointment online or call our office today.