Orthodontic Space Maintainers For Kids
Orthodontic Space Maintainers For Kids
The Importance and Benefits
Orthodontic Space maintainers for kids are devices designed to preserve space within a child’s mouth after prematurely losing a tooth. Losing primary teeth before their natural time can lead to dental issues like crowding or misalignment due to the neighboring teeth drifting into the vacant space. To prevent such problems, our pediatric dentists at Surprise Pediatric Dentistry in Surprise AZ, often recommend space maintainers for children that have experienced this situation. Let’s delve deeper into why these devices are essential and how they benefit your child.
Importance of Space Maintainers:
Preventing Misalignment: When a primary tooth is lost prematurely, adjacent teeth tend to shift into the gap. This can cause misalignment issues, impacting the proper development of permanent teeth.
- Preserving Jaw Structure: Space maintainers help maintain the natural alignment of teeth, preventing the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later on.
- Facilitating Proper Chewing and Speech: Maintaining the correct spacing ensures that a child can chew food properly and develop speech patterns without hindrance.
- Avoiding Future Complications: Early intervention with space maintainers can prevent the need for more invasive orthodontic treatments in the future, saving time, money, and discomfort.
Benefits of Space Maintainers for Kids:
- Customized Solutions: Space maintainers are tailored to each child’s specific needs, ensuring optimal effectiveness.
- Minimal Discomfort: While adjustments may be necessary initially, most children adapt quickly to their space maintainers without significant discomfort.
- Preservation of Oral Health: By preventing teeth from shifting, space maintainers contribute to better oral hygiene and reduce the risk of dental problems later in life.
- Promoting Self-Confidence: Maintaining proper dental alignment from an early age can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence in their appearance.
Orthodontic space maintainers for kids play a crucial role in pediatric dentistry by preserving space and promoting healthy dental development in children. By addressing tooth loss early on and applying space maintainers, we can help your child prevent a myriad of potential issues and help to ensure a lifetime of optimal oral health.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have on orthodontic space maintainers for kids, or any other pediatric dentistry and orthodontic questions you may have.
By bringing your child in for an exam, we can help you determine the best treatment options. Investing in preventive measures like space maintainers can lead to long-term benefits, sparing your kids from more extensive dental interventions down the road.
Reasons Your Child May Need a Space Maintainer
Orthodontists mainly recommend space maintainers for:
- Premature loss of primary teeth
- Delayed loss of primary teeth
- Traumatic loss of primary teeth
Premature Loss of Primary Teeth
Children who lose their primary teeth prematurely often require a space maintainer. The main cause of premature tooth loss is cavities due to consumption of sugary foods and drinks or improper brushing habits.
Our Surprise pediatric dentist recommends baby teeth extraction if they are infected with cavities. Leaving a primary tooth cavity alone for too long can cause tooth decay or infection that may spread to other teeth.
Delayed Loss of Primary Teeth
Sometimes primary teeth do not fall out. This either prevents the adult teeth from growing or causes them to grow into the same space as a baby tooth. The presence of both teeth causes overcrowding and poor jaw development.
Traumatic Loss of Primary Teeth
Children often experience injuries due to clumsiness. Such poor motor skills can damage the teeth and jaws, thus requiring a space maintainer to encourage the growth of straight teeth.
Types of Space Maintainers
There are three categories of space maintainers:
- Fixed unilateral maintainer
- Fixed bilateral maintainer
- Partial dentures
Orthodontists use all three for different dentofacial orthopedics cases. Contact our orthodontist to find out which one is best for your child.
Fixed Unilateral Maintainer
We use fixed unilateral maintainers when the problem only appears on one side of the mouth. The unilateral space maintainer normally maintains the space necessary for an adult molar to grow.
Fixed Bilateral Maintainer
Fixed bilateral maintainers are necessary if your child loses teeth on both sides of the mouth. Our Surprise orthodontist uses fixed bilateral space maintainers on both the upper and lower jaws to ensure that the dental arch is properly growing.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures fully replace the teeth. We normally decide to give children partial dentures for aesthetic reasons or if more than one tooth is missing on either side of the mouth. We almost always fit children with removable partial dentures due to their developmental stage.
Should I Get a Space Maintainer for My Child?
Orthodontic treatment is necessary when children prematurely lose teeth. If you want to speak with an orthodontist in Surprise, AZ, give Surprise Pediatric Dentistry a call at 602-730-6481 today.
Dr. Rachael Maddox DMD is a pediatric dentist who loves helping her patients gain and maintain the health of their smiles. Dr. Maddox earned a Bachelor’s in Biology from Arizona State University, and completed her dental training at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. With a commitment to patient education and community engagement, Dr. Maddox went on to introduce oral health curriculum to elementary schools in Arizona and Mexico. She spent months partnering with Rotary clubs to plan and volunteer on service trips to remote areas with little to no access to dental care.
She brought her enthusiasm for preventive care, access to education, communication, and behavior guidance to Children’s Wisconsin where she pursued specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. Her passion for whole-person health care continued to grow while caring for children with special healthcare needs and serving families in the poorest zip codes in Milwaukee.
After a few Midwest winters, Dr. Maddox is grateful to call Arizona home once again! In her free time, she and her husband Nick love spending time with their family, friends, and goofy dogs. On the weekends you can find them at the movie theater checking out the latest and greatest film, adventuring on a hike or seeking out new architectural finds around the city, or out and about looking for the best tacos in town.
WHAT IS A DMD?
In the world of dentistry, the acronyms DDS and DMD often spark curiosity and confusion. What exactly is a DMD, and how does it differ from a DDS? Let's delve into the realm of dental education to demystify the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
The DMD degree stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. It's one of the two primary degrees awarded to graduates of accredited dental programs in the United States, with the other being DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Despite the different nomenclature, both degrees signify the same level of education and qualification in dentistry. The variance in titles primarily stems from historical and institutional differences among dental schools.
DMD programs encompass rigorous academic and clinical training, covering a wide array of dental specialties, including preventive, restorative, and surgical procedures. Students undergo comprehensive coursework and hands-on experience to develop expertise in oral health diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care.
Upon completion of their DMD degree, dentists are equipped to address various oral health needs, ranging from routine dental check-ups to complex reconstructive surgeries. They play a crucial role in promoting oral hygiene and enhancing overall well-being.
In essence, the DMD degree represents a commitment to excellence in dental practice, embodying the dedication and proficiency required to ensure optimal oral health for patients. Whether it's restoring a smile or alleviating dental discomfort, DMD dentists serve as guardians of dental wellness, making a significant impact on individuals' lives.
She brought her enthusiasm for preventive care, access to education, communication, and behavior guidance to Children’s Wisconsin where she pursued specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. Her passion for whole-person health care continued to grow while caring for children with special healthcare needs and serving families in the poorest zip codes in Milwaukee.
If you would like to learn more abour Dr. Rachael Maddox DMD or make an appointment, please call our office at the number below, or fill out "make and appointment".
