for permanent teeth. Space Maintainer

What is a space maintainer?

A space maintainer is a specially designed piece of dental equipment that is placed in children's mouth to keep the space from closing up once a baby tooth falls out before a permanent tooth has erupted. Its primary use is to keep adjacent teeth from moving into the space until the permanent tooth arrives.

If a child's tooth is missing too early, the surrounding teeth may shift. This can prevent the permanent tooth from developing properly, resulting in crowding, misalignment and/or orthodontic treatment in the future. A space maintainer is used to keep the right amount of space until the permanent tooth comes in.

Why is a Space Maintainer Necessary?

A space maintainer might be recommended by a pediatric dentist when:

• A baby tooth stays in the mouth beyond the time of its natural exfoliation.
• It is a permanent tooth and will not erupt for several months or years.
• There is a risk of neighbouring teeth moving into the empty space.
• Correct alignment may decrease the chances for future orthodontic treatment.

Major benefits of a Space Maintainer

• Helps prevent adjacent teeth from moving.
• Has adequate spacing for permanent teeth
• Minimises the chance of overcrowding and biting.
• Helps maintain healthy jaw growth and dental health.
• May reduce the need for a lot of future orthodontic treatment

Who needs a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer may be helpful when a child:

• Have a tooth that is decayed so badly it will fall out.
• Get a tooth pulled due to infection.
• Fall out of a tooth due to trauma or an accident.
• Have a missing baby tooth at birth.

What are space maintainers for teeth?

Space maintainers are dental appliances which are used mostly in children to keep the space provided by a baby tooth until it drops out or is removed prematurely. It serves as a temporary spacer to keep adjacent teeth from drifting into the space where the permanent tooth will grow until it comes through.

Baby teeth are very important in supporting the permanent teeth in their proper position. If a baby tooth is lost too early because of tooth decay, injury or extraction, the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space causing other teeth to move. This can cause crowding, crooked teeth, dental problems and require more complex future orthodontic treatment. Space maintainers keep the space open and prevent these problems.

What is the working of Space Maintainers?

A space maintainer will be specially designed for your child's mouth. Gently keeps adjacent teeth from shifting, allowing the permanent tooth to erupt naturally. When adult tooth starts to erupt, it's taken out by the dentist.

Types of space maintainers

They come in two categories:

Fixed Space Maintainers

• These are bonded to the teeth using dental cement and will stay on until they are taken out by the dentist.

Common types include:

• Band and loop space maintainer
• Crown and loop space maintainer
• Dental Space Maintainer (DSM) – Distal shoe space maintainer
• Lingual holding arch
• Nance appliance

Removable Space Maintainers

These are similar to orthodontic retainers and can be taken off to be cleaned. Usually used for older children and capable of following care instructions.

How to Insert a Space Maintainer?

It is a simple and painless procedure:

• Dentist checks on the child's mouth and may take X-rays.
• An impression of digital scan is made and a custom appliance is made.
• The space maintainer is installed and fitted to be comfortable.
• Follow-up visits are conducted regularly to keep it secure and to watch permanent tooth development.

Space maintainer dental

A dental space maintainer is a specially designed oral appliance that is most commonly employed in the field of paediatric dentistry to maintain the space of a prematurely lost baby tooth. This helps to keep the adjacent teeth in place so there is adequate space for the permanent tooth to come in.

Space maintainers are an essential part of creating a healthy dental development and minimising the risk of orthodontic issues in the future.

Why is a Dental Space Maintainer Needed?

Baby Teeth serve as natural space maintainers for permanent teeth. If a tooth is missing too early because it was lost from a cavity, injury or removal, neighbouring teeth can shift into the gap. This can cause:

• Crowded permanent teeth
• Crooked tooth eruption
• Bite misalignment (malocclusion)
• Difficulty chewing
• More braces or other orthodontic treatments are required.

A dental space maintainer will help maintain an open space until the permanent tooth has emerged.

Paediatric space maintainer

A space maintainer is a specially molded dental appliance used to keep the space occupied when a baby tooth is lost too soon. It is a very common practice in paediatric dentistry to use to prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting into the "space" so that the permanent tooth can erupt in the correct position.

Primary teeth play key roles in chewing, speech and in guiding permanent teeth into place. A pediatric space maintainer is used to maintain proper spacing of teeth and to encourage proper dental development when a primary tooth has been lost too early due to decay, injury or extraction.

Conclusion

A space maintainer is a simple but very effective, preventive dental appliance that is very important in preserving a child's developing smile after the loss of one of his/her baby teeth. Keeping this space open allows permanent teeth to erupt properly and can prevent future bite issues, misalignment and crowding. If a space maintainer is placed at the right time, coupled with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, its use will help with proper dental development and can minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment later in life. When your child loses a baby tooth too soon, it is important to talk to a pediatric dentist to see if using a space maintainer is the best option to keep your child's smile healthy and aligned.

Space maintainer in India GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24-hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Help in choosing the Best clinics in India for Space maintainer.
• Expert dentists with proven results in success. 
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food

FAQ

Should all children be fitted with space maintainers when they lose a baby tooth?

• No. A space maintainer is not needed in all children. A pediatric dentist will determine the age of the child, which tooth has been lost and when the permanent tooth is likely to come in to determine one.

What is the duration of a space maintainer?

• Usually a space maintainer is in place until the permanent tooth erupts. This may be anywhere from several months to a few years depending on the child's dental development.

Will it hurt to get a space maintainer?

• No. The placement process is fast, non-invasive and painless. Most children get used to wearing the appliance in a few days.

Will my child be able to use a space maintainer when eating?

• Yes. Your child may eat most foods, however sticky candy, chewing gum, caramel and extremely hard foods may loosen or damage the appliance.

What do I need to tell my child to do if they have a space maintainer?

• Children should brush their teeth twice a day, floss carefully around the appliance, not play with it with their tongue or fingers and receive regular check-ups with their dentist to make sure it is in good condition.

Are space maintainers safe for kids?

• Yes. Space maintainers are safe, long-lasting and often used in the treatment of children. They are specially designed to fit comfortably and monitored during routine dental check-ups.