Space Maintainers​
Baby teeth aren’t just for chewing! Each one also acts as a guide for the permanent tooth that replaces it. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth loses its guide. It can drift or erupt incorrectly into the mouth. Neighbouring teeth also can move or tilt into the space. This means the permanent tooth can’t come in. Dentists call baby teeth primary or deciduous teeth.
Primary teeth can be lost too early for several reasons:
- They can be knocked out in a fall or other accident.
- They may need to be extracted because of severe decay.
- They may be missing at birth.
- Some diseases or conditions can lead to early tooth loss
We may recommend a space maintainer:
- If a primary tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to come in
- If a permanent tooth is missing
The maintainer keeps the space open until the permanent tooth comes in.
Follow-Up
We will follow the progress of the incoming permanent tooth by taking X-rays regularly. When the tooth is ready to erupt, the space maintainer will be removed. If there is no permanent tooth, the space maintainer will be used until your child’s growth is completed (age 16 to 18). Then we can discuss replacement options like a bridge or implant.
