Teeth Space Maintainers
The Teeth Space maintainers we do in Keysborough are custom-made dental appliances used to hold open the space left by a prematurely lost tooth—most commonly in children. As your dentist in Keysborough, we can help your teeth space with a tooth space maintainer.
Teeth space maintainers can be fixed or removable. They ensure adequate space for the erupting adult tooth and help prevent future orthodontic problems. Most space maintainers we do in Keysborough are done in children, however, adults may also benefit from space maintainers. Space maintainers are done to preserve the gap until a dental implant, bridge, or denture is placed in adults.
Read on to learn more about how we can help you with teeth space maintainers in Keysborough.
Why do you need Space Maintainers?
When a deciduous (baby) tooth falls out early, the adult (permanent) tooth underneath may not be ready to erupt. Without a space maintainer, surrounding teeth can shift into this space, leading to crowding or misalignment. This often results in the adult tooth erupting in the wrong position or becoming impacted (Stuck). In the lower or upper jaw, these changes can also affect the bite and the alignment of opposing teeth.
If an adult tooth is lost and isn’t replaced promptly (with an implant, bridge or plate), a space maintainer may be used to preserve the space and prevent neighbouring teeth from drifting.
How do I know if Space Maintainers are required?
Several factors influence whether your child may need a space maintainer:
- Development stage: if your child has lost their baby tooth quite close to when the adult tooth is meant to come through, then a Space Maintainer is likely not required. Your child’s age is not an accurate indicator because children will vary with development and this is where x-rays are very important to check.
- Type of tooth: The type of baby tooth lost will also matter. The larger baby molars when lost early may have a significant impact on the space loss for the adult tooth whereas a deciduous lateral incisor may not be as significant.
- Bite: In some cases, when the teeth interdigitate well, the space loss may not be significant and a Space Maintainer may not be required.
- Cooperation: Will your child be able to tolerate and maintain the Space Maintainer? Sometimes despite the ideal treatment being a Space Maintainer, it may not always be possible depending on the child.
What types of Space Maintainers are available?
There are 2 main types of Space Maintainers we can do as your Keysborough Dentist: fixed Space Maintainers and removable Space Maintainers. The fixed Space Maintainers are the most common as they are the most effective and compliance is high because the child cannot remove it. The efficacy of removable Space Maintainers often suffer because children often remove them.
Fixed Space Maintainer (most commonly used)
- Band and Loop Space Maintainer: A metal band is placed on the tooth behind the gap, with a loop extending to the tooth in front. Ideal for single missing molars.
- Crown and Loop Space Maintainer: Similar to the band and loop, but uses a stainless steel crown instead of a band, for teeth that require restorative work.
- Trans-Palatal Arch (TPA) or Nance Appliance: Used for bilateral space maintenance on the upper arch. These devices include bands on molars connected by a wire across the palate (top jaw).
- Lower Lingual Holding Arch (LLHA): Used on the lower arch when baby teeth are missing on both sides. A wire connects the molars and runs along the inside of the lower teeth.
Removable Space Maintainer
- Denture-Style Appliance: Acts as both a space maintainer and functional replacement for the lost tooth.
- Clear Retainers (e.g., Essix Retainer): Lightweight, transparent and less noticeable.
- Removable Orthodontic Appliance: Sometimes used in conjunction with other orthodontic treatments.
Prevention and Maintenance
The best way to avoid needing a space maintainer is through preventive dental care. Regular dental check-ups, fluoride treatments, proper brushing and flossing, and a tooth-friendly diet help protect baby teeth from decay. In the case of sports injuries, a custom mouthguard can help protect your child’s teeth from trauma.
When to remove a Space Maintainer?
Once a Space Maintainer is placed, your Dental Professional will check it at every regular check up appointment. We try to keep it here for as long as possible but if it starts becoming uncomfortable due to eh movement of the erupting adult tooth OR we start seeing the adult tooth erupt, that will be time to remove it.How to remove a Space Maintainer?
How to remove a Space Maintainer?
Fixed Space Maintainers are removed by the Dental Professional. The bands/wire that are responsible for holding it in are usually drilled off. This is a simple process that doesn’t require any anesthetic and is usually well tolerated.
Do Space Maintainers hurt?
The initial fitting, it may be uncomfortable because it can feel tight around the tooth that it is bonded on. As with anything foreign in your mouth, it takes time to adjust to it. Children typically adjust within a few days.
How to clean Space Maintainers?
It is very important to clean Space Maintainers well to avoid gingivitis or developing decay. It is important to avoid very sticky foods, especially if sweet. Very sticky foods can dislodge Space Maintainers. You can brush around the space maintainer and ensure it is cleaned with floss or interdental brushes daily.
