Keeping the Gap: Space Maintainers

2 kids teethIf you’re a parent,  then you know that milk teeth are the first to come in and naturally fall off by the age of 6 and 7 to prepare for the emergence of the permanent teeth. While this is the normal transition of things, what happens when your kid goes through a tooth extraction of any one of his or her baby teeth due to tooth decay? What are some of the repercussions of having a gap on one’s gums for a long period of time? Village Family Dental in Myrtle Beach, SC explains:

Teeth Shifts

If you think that teeth do not move in terms of its position along your gums, then you’re may be in for a rude awakening. Your teeth can move ever so slightly into an adjacent space and these subtle movements add up over time. You may find your tooth in a completely different position from where it should be. This is the reason why Dr. John Rearden may recommend space maintainers for children who have lost their milk teeth earlier than expected.

Space Maintainers

There are two types of space maintainers which are designed specifically for children – the removable and the fixed. The removable space maintainers are orthodontic appliances and are made using acrylic material. This is seen as an artificial tooth which secures the location of a tooth that has yet to emerge. On the other hand, fixed space maintainers come in four different forms – the crown and loop, distal shoe, lingual and unilateral space maintainers.

These space maintainers should not be mistaken for partial dentures which are given to children who suffer from a congenital condition, which may lead to losing teeth earlier. For this reason, it is important to consult Village Family Dental about what kind of orthodontic appliance or space maintainer your kid may need. At the same time, not all kids who lose their teeth prematurely require space maintainers. Dr. Rearden in Myrtle Beach, SC will be happy to assess the need of your child.

Call us today and we will be happy to help fix any dental problems your family has.

photo credit: ToniVC via photopin cc

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