Pediatric Space Maintainers in Greeley, CO
Prevent orthodontic issues down the road with space maintainers from Greeley Kids Dental.
- Hold space for grownup teeth
- Avoid crowding
- Enjoy peace of mind
Did your child lose a tooth too early?
There’s all sorts of reasons why your child may have lost a baby tooth before the adult tooth was ready to erupt. Losing the baby tooth early won’t negatively affect the adult tooth itself, but if the adult tooth won’t emerge for several years, it might lose its spot in line.
Your child’s teeth may naturally begin to shift and fill the gap from the missing tooth, so when the adult tooth erupts, it has no place to go. This can lead to crowding and other problems that would need to be treated by an orthodontist. Luckily, this shifting is easy to prevent with a simple device called a space maintainer.
Space Maintainers Keep Teeth In Their Place
Prevent shifting and crowding with a simple, painless device.
Easy
A space maintainer is a wire device that sits in the space left by the baby tooth, putting mild pressure on the surrounding teeth, ensuring that the space remains clear.
Fast
The pediatric dentists at Greeley Kids dental can place the space maintainer in just a few minutes. While the maintainer may feel foreign to your child at first, the process is painless.
Effective
Space maintainers work extremely well. Your child’s pediatric dentist will check on it during each regular cleaning, and remove it when it’s time for the adult tooth to erupt.
“The dentist and staff from the front office to the back were great with my daughter. No long waits to be seen, the dentist explained everything in great detail and she was very thorough. I’m so happy I made the switch!”
Samantha
Types of Space Maintainers at Greeley Kids Dental
There are two common types of space maintainers:
Fixed
This type of space maintainer is made from metal or acrylic and is cemented into place. This is a good option for younger children, though you do need help your child carefully brush around the device to prevent decay.
Removable
These maintainers, also made from metal or acrylic, resemble a small retainer. These are a better choice for older, more responsible kids who understand the importance of wearing them consistently.
Your pediatric dentist will help you choose the option that is right for your child, and explain how to take care of your child’s teeth with the space maintainer in place.
The Space Maintainer Process
Welcome to the adventure of oral health!
1. Initial Consultation
Your child’s dentist will thoroughly examine their teeth and recommend a course of action if a space maintainer is needed. They’ll also help you decide on the best type of space maintainer for your child.
2. Fitting and Placement
Depending on the type of maintainer you choose, your dentist may need to take measurements or impressions and order a customer maintainer from a lab. Regardless of types, though, the placement of the space maintainer should take less than 5 minutes.
3. Follow-up Care
It may take a few days for your child to adjust to the new feeling of the space maintainer in their mouth. If they experience any significant pain or discomfort, let us know right away. We’ll monitor the maintainer during our regular appointments, and remove it when it is time for the adult tooth to erupt.
“The staff was very nice, professional and friendly. The dentist explained everything very well and made sure my 10 year daughter fully understood all the procedures that would take place. We had a great experience.”
Jennifer
Frequently Asked Questions About Space Maintainers
How long will my child need to wear one?
The answer is: it depends. In general, your child will need to wear the maintainer until the adult tooth is ready to come in. Depending on the age of your child when they lost the baby tooth and which baby tooth they lost, the answer could be anywhere from 6 months to several years.
Are space maintainers uncomfortable?
After a few days, most children don’t even notice the maintainer in their mouth anymore. In the rare case that the discomfort persists after a few days, feel free to give us a call and we can help adjust the device.
How do I know if the maintainer needs adjustment?
We will keep tabs on the space maintainer during our regular checkups with your child, but if the maintainer falls out, becomes uncomfortable, or has any other problems, please let us know and we will help right away.
How do I care for my child’s space maintainer?
Similar to other orthodontic devices, please help your child refrain from eating sticky, chewy foods that could break or pull the maintainer out of place. Also encourage your child to not play with the device, push on it with their tongues, or manipulate it with their fingers. Be sure to thoroughly brush and floss around the maintainer, and come in to our office for regular checkups and cleanings.
