Space Maintainers
A small appliance that holds the gap open when a baby tooth is lost too early.
A small custom appliance cemented to a neighboring tooth to hold open the gap left by a baby tooth lost early. It stays in place until the adult tooth is ready to come through.
An impression or scan is taken, the appliance is made to fit your child, and it is cemented at a short second visit. Dr. Dan Truong checks it at every appointment and removes it when the adult tooth arrives.
Teeth drift into empty space. When they do, the adult tooth underneath has nowhere to come through and ends up crowded, tilted, or stuck. Holding the space is far simpler than correcting it later.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about space maintainers.
No. It depends which tooth was lost and how close the adult tooth is to coming through. Dr. Truong will tell you when one is unnecessary.
It feels strange for a few days, then children generally forget it is there. It should never hurt, so call us if it does.
Until the adult tooth is ready, which can be months or years depending on your child's age and which tooth is involved.
Call the office promptly. A loose appliance stops holding the space, and space can be lost quickly.
Sticky sweets and chewing gum are the main ones, since they can pull it loose. You will get a short list to take home.