Why Do Kids Need Space Maintainers?
Posted on January 27th, 2023
If your child loses a tooth too soon or needs a baby tooth extracted due to decay, Michael Colleran DDS may recommend space maintainers to support their dental health.
Space maintainers are custom-made acrylic or metal dental appliances that can either be removable or cemented into the mouth. Their purpose is to keep the space open for the future permanent tooth or teeth. Baby teeth are essential to the development of permanent teeth, jawbones and muscles, which guide those adult teeth into the place absent baby teeth once were.
If there is no space for permanent teeth to grow, teeth can shift drastically enough for orthodontics to be needed. Not every child with premature baby tooth loss needs space maintainers, but a consultation with Michael Colleran DDS is advisable to see if a space maintainer is the best solution.
Michael Colleran DDS can also advise you about best practices for eating habits and oral hygiene for fixed space maintainers. Your child should be seen regularly by their dentist or orthodontist to monitor the space maintainer’s progress and keep their professional cleaning appointments with Michael Colleran DDS.
If you think your child may need a space maintainer, get in touch with Michael Colleran DDS today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
About Dr. Colleran
Dr. Colleran is a nationally renowned dental author and lecturer and an expert on laser dentistry. He has spoken across the country on laser dentistry and had articles appear in several professional journals. He is also sought after by dental manufacturers as a consultant for product evaluation and research. Dr. Colleran is an instructor for the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, which teaches LANAP and other laser dental procedures to dentists from across the globe.
