Space Maintainers
Oral Health Solutions from Trusted Albuquerque Dentists
One of the most crucial points in our oral health is the phase in which we begin to lose our primary (or baby) teeth and our adult teeth begin to come in. For many children, this happens without complication. However, for others, difficulties can arise when our baby teeth fail to provide the guidance as our adult come in. Fortunately, there is a solution to this issue: space maintainers.
If your child has prematurely lost his or her baby teeth, then an examination is recommended. At Dental House, our experienced Albuquerque family dentists are well-versed in the dental health issues we face during every phase of life. We're prepared to assess your child's mouth and, if necessary, install safe space maintainers that will ensure the eruption of healthy, aligned adult teeth.
Schedule a consultation with us today! We accept most insurance plans and offer Saturday appointments for busy families.
How Space Maintainers Work
As your child grows, his or her adult teeth will begin to migrate to the surface of their gums. As they do, they are guided by the space in the gums that is already occupied by the baby teeth. This often ensures proper alignment of the adult teeth as they come in and ensures long-term oral health and comfort.
When your child loses a baby tooth before the adult tooth is ready to erupt (grow up from the gum), the existing teeth can shift and the adult tooth will lose the space it needs to come properly. Depending on your child's circumstances, one of several space maintainers may be recommended.
Different space maintainer options include:
- Removable space maintainers
- Unilateral space maintainers designed for one side of the mouth
- Lingual space maintainers designed for multiple unerupted teeth
- Distal shoe space maintainers for molar teeth that need guidance
Our dentists are ready to discuss space maintainer options with you and your child. Once installed, we can also provide your family proper wearing and maintenance information so that your space maintainer has the greatest positive impact on the future of your child's dental health.
At Dental House, our motto is "Come as Patients, Leave as Family." To book an appointment with us, call our offices at (505) 835-2322 today.
