Losing baby teeth is a natural part of childhood, but when a tooth comes out before a replacement is ready, it can cause a big issue. To make sure children’s teeth and jaws are able to develop safely, we can use a space maintainer, a small device that plays a massive role!
What is a space maintainer?
A dental space maintainer is a small device we use in children’s orthodontics when a baby tooth falls out too early. Healthy baby teeth are an important part of jaw development, holding a temporary place until permanent adult teeth take their place. Unfortunately, baby teeth can occasionally come out before the adult replacement is ready to emerge, due to injury, tooth decay or a necessary extraction.
When this happens, it’s essential to preserve the space where the baby tooth was so that the adult tooth has enough room to emerge when it’s ready. This is where space maintainers — also called teeth spacers — come in; they contain a metal loop that attaches to a neighbouring tooth and extends into the gap, preventing other teeth from pushing into the space.
Why are space maintainers important?
If other teeth drift into an empty gap, it can cause a lot of issues for the adult tooth that should fill the space, causing long-term dental problems. When your child’s adult teeth don’t erupt properly, it can cause tooth crowding, crooked teeth, or a misaligned bite — issues that will require more extensive orthodontic treatments as they get older.
If we are able to place a spacer, we can prevent these issues from arising and ensure healthier teeth development. It doesn’t guarantee that your children won’t need orthodontics again later in life, but it is an important measure we can take to help avoid some unfortunate outcomes.
Types of space maintainers
There are two main types of space maintainers in children’s orthodontics: fixed and removable.
Fixed maintainers are bonded to the surrounding teeth with dental cement, keeping them in place for the duration of treatment. Fixed spacers are more durable and stable, removing some of the responsibility on children to be compliant because it can’t be moved. However, they are harder to clean, and require more vigilance to avoid plaque build-up.
Removable maintainers are able to be taken out and put back in, typically to help with comfort and make things like eating and teeth brushing easier. Removable spacers are also much easier to clean and maintain, but they do require a higher level of compliance and cooperation from your children. It’s important to try and teach them not to fiddle with the device with their fingers or tongue.
How to look after your space maintainer
While your child wears a spacer, it’s important to look after it to ensure it lasts and continues to do its job effectively. There are a few key things you can do to keep the space maintainer in good condition:
- Watch for signs of issues: It’s rare, but space maintainers can become loose in some cases, and will require a fix at the dentist. Keep an eye out for soreness and swelling, or if your child experiences lasting discomfort — we can help to correct any problems.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Daily brushing and flossing is essential for oral health, but especially to ensure plaque and food particles don’t build up around the spacer. Encourage your child to make this an important part of their daily routine, and help them make sure they’re cleaning correctly.
- Be careful with certain foods: Sticky and chewy foods can dislodge the space maintainer, so we recommend avoiding them. For some crunchy foods like fruits and vegetables, try and cut them into smaller pieces to make them easier to chew without putting any pressure on the device.
When do space maintainers come out?
To ensure healthy development, the maintainer needs to stay in place until the permanent adult tooth begins to erupt in the empty gap. If the maintainer comes out too early, your child’s mouth will face the issues outlined above, like crowding or misalignment.
Depending on how early the baby tooth fell out, it can take several months to a few years for the adult tooth to erupt. These teeth typically begin to emerge around the ages of 6 and 7, starting with the teeth closer to the front, with most permanent teeth emerging by 12 years old. We regularly monitor your child’s mouth to find the safest time to remove the spacer without affecting healthy development.
Helping teeth grow up well
At Oakleigh Dental, we love making sure that our youngest patients are encouraged and supported in their dental journeys. And when baby teeth come out too early, we’re there to make sure their teeth still develop healthily.
Book an appointment now or get in touch to learn more about space maintainers and our children’s dentistry services — we can’t wait to help you smile.
