Children's Space Maintainers
Question:
What is a space maintainer, and what is it used for?
Answer:
If a baby tooth is lost prematurely sometimes a space maintainer or spacer is recommended. Space maintainers help preserve space in your child's mouth for their permanent teeth to come in properly in the future. A space maintainer is custom fit to your child's mouth and may be on just one side (unilateral) or span both sides of the mouth (bilateral), depending on your child’s specific needs.
Space maintainers protect your child's teeth by keeping them in their original position. Most children adjust to them easily within a few days. In most cases a space maintainer will stay in your child's mouth for several years, until the permanent tooth comes in. Our dentists will evaluate your child's space maintainer at each appointment and recommend it be removed when it is appropriate.
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