Space Maintainers: Saving Space to Create Your Perfect Smile

Every tooth plays an important role in your child’s dental development—even those baby teeth that will eventually be replaced. At OHIOSmiles, Dr. Antalis provides expert care for young patients in Cambridge, OH, including using space maintainers to support healthy smiles and proper dental alignment. Our team is committed to helping children maintain optimal oral health as they grow.

What is a Space Maintainer?

A dental space maintainer is a custom-made appliance for children to maintain the space created when a primary tooth (baby tooth) is lost too early. Its primary function is to prevent the shifting of the remaining teeth into the space, ensuring that the permanent tooth has room to erupt correctly.

Who Needs a Space Maintainer?

Children who experience premature loss of baby teeth, whether due to decay, trauma, or other dental concerns, are potential candidates for space maintainers. If your child has a missing tooth and their adult teeth aren’t expected to erupt for a while, Dr. Antalis might recommend a space maintainer to prevent future orthodontic issues related to your child’s permanent teeth.

Types of Space Maintainers

Depending on the location of the missing tooth and other individual factors, different types of space maintainers may be used to prepare for the adult tooth. There are two primary categories: fixed space maintainers and removable space maintainers.

Fixed Space Maintainers

Dr. Antalis uses dental cement to secure these appliances, which are not removable by the child, ensuring they fill the empty space until no longer needed. Common types of fixed space maintainers include:

• Band and Loop: A stainless steel band is placed around an adjacent tooth with a loop extending to hold the space open.
• Crown and Loop: A similar design to the band and loop but includes a crown for additional support when the adjacent tooth is damaged.
• Distal Shoe: Used when a baby molar is lost, and the permanent molar has not yet erupted.

Removable Space Maintainers

Removable devices function similarly to retainers and are usually recommended for older children who can manage them responsibly.

Benefits of Space Maintainers

Using space maintainers offers several benefits for your child’s oral health, including:

• Preserving Proper Alignment: They ensure permanent teeth have enough space to erupt correctly, reducing the risk of crowding or misalignment.
• Preventing Costly Treatments: By maintaining dental alignment early, space maintainers can reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatments later.
• Encouraging Healthy Development: They support your child’s overall dental growth, contributing to a functional and aesthetically pleasing smile.

What to Expect When Getting Space Maintainers

At OHIOSmiles, we prioritize your child’s comfort and well-being throughout the space maintainer process. Here’s what to expect:

Initial Evaluation

Dr. Antalis will assess your child’s teeth and jaw to determine the need for a space maintainer. This includes examining the missing tooth and ensuring no underlying issues are present.

Customization

If a space maintainer is recommended, we’ll take precise measurements and impressions of your child’s mouth to create a custom appliance that fits perfectly.

Placement

Once the appliance is ready, it will be securely placed in your child’s mouth. For fixed space maintainers, it will be cemented to the surrounding teeth.

Follow-Up Care

Regular checkups ensure the space maintainer functions correctly and will be removed when it’s no longer needed.

Preserve Your Child’s Smile

If your child has lost a baby tooth prematurely, don’t wait to address the gap. Space maintainers from OHIOSmiles can help preserve their smile and support healthy dental development. Contact our Cambridge, OH, office at (740) 439-2501 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Antalis. We’re proud to serve families throughout the southeastern Ohio region and look forward to caring for your child’s smile!