Easily Align Teeth with Space Maintainers in Canal Winchester
At Canal Kids in Canal Winchester, OH, we know your child’s smile is constantly growing and changing. When a baby tooth is lost too early, keeping the space open is essential to allow permanent teeth to come in properly. That’s where space maintainers come in! Dr. Anthony Sciortino and our friendly team are here to help guide your child’s smile into a healthy future with this simple and effective solution. With gentle care and a personalized approach, we make the process easy and stress-free for both kids and parents.
What Are Space Maintainers?
Space maintainers are small, custom-made dental appliances that hold the space left by a missing baby tooth. They prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the gap, ensuring there’s enough room for the permanent tooth to come in properly. At Canal Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we offer two types of space maintainers. Dr. Sciortino will assess your child’s unique needs and recommend the most suitable type of space maintainer:
- Fixed Space Maintainers: These are securely attached to the teeth and remain in place until they’re no longer needed.
- Removable Space Maintainers: Similar to a retainer, these can be taken out as needed and are usually recommended for older children.
Each space maintainer is custom-made to fit comfortably and function effectively in your child’s mouth.
When to Ask About a Space Maintainer
Losing a baby tooth earlier than expected can happen due to tooth decay, an accident where the tooth is dislodged prematurely, or when a baby tooth falls out earlier than expected.
Without a space maintainer, surrounding teeth may shift into the gap, leading to crowding or alignment issues that could require orthodontic treatment later on.
The Process: Simple and Stress-Free
Getting a space maintainer is a straightforward process at Canal Kids Pediatric Dentistry. Here’s what you can expect:
Evaluation
Dr. Sciortino will examine your child’s teeth and take X-rays to determine if a space maintainer is needed.
Custom Fit
We’ll take impressions of your child’s teeth to create a perfectly tailored appliance.
Placement
Once the space maintainer is ready, we’ll carefully place it and make sure your child feels comfortable.
When Are Space Maintainers Needed?
Space maintainers are typically recommended when a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay, injury, or other reasons. Baby teeth play a crucial role in guiding permanent teeth into their proper position. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the neighboring teeth may shift into the empty space, causing crowding or alignment issues for the incoming permanent tooth.
Situations where space maintainers might be needed include:
- Premature Loss of Baby Teeth: To prevent teeth from shifting and ensure proper spacing.
- Protecting Orthodontic Development: To maintain the alignment needed for a straight smile in the future.
- Preventing Crowding: To avoid complications that could lead to more extensive orthodontic treatment later.
Caring for a Space Maintainer
Taking care of a space maintainer is simple! It’s almost the same as taking care of your teeth without it. We encourage regular brushing and flossing around the space maintainer. Please avoid sticky or chewy treats that can damage the appliance.
Of course, we expect to see you twice yearly for routine checkups so we can monitor your child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments. Our team will provide all the guidance you need to help your child adjust to their space maintainer and keep their smile healthy.
Creating Smiles That Last a Lifetime
At Canal Kids, we specialize in pediatric dental care, meaning we know how to make dental visits fun, engaging, and stress-free for kids. Dr. Sciortino’s gentle approach and expertise ensure your child gets the best care possible while feeling safe and comfortable.
If your child has lost a tooth prematurely, don’t worry—we’re here to help! Call Canal Kids Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how space maintainers can protect your child’s growing smile.
