McGraw Bellanca, Inc. DDS
808-623-9881
office@mililanidentist.com
Quick Reference
What is a Space Maintainer?
Normally, as a permanent tooth comes in under a baby tooth, the roots of the baby tooth dissolve away and the permanent tooth replaces the baby tooth.
In addition to being important for chewing, the baby tooth holds the adjacent teeth in place.
When a baby tooth is lost early due to decay or injury, the adjacent teeth may shift together, causing loss of space in the dental arch.
Fortunately, by placing a space maintainer, this loss of arch space can be prevented.
Depending on the situation, space maintainers are usually cemented in place, but they can be removable in some cases. It generally takes two appointments to complete a space maintainer.
On the first appointment, orthodontic bands are carefully placed and an impression is taken. A duplicate model of the child's mouth is made from this impression so the dental laboratory can custom make the space maintainer to the exact contours of the mouth.
On the next appointment, your child will try out the space maintainer. Then the dentist adjusts it if necessary, and it's cemented in place. Space maintainers are used until the permanent teeth begin to break through the gums.
While wearing a space maintainer, it is important to avoid chewing gum, sticky candies, and hard foods like Corn Nuts or ice.