Space Maintainers in Jacksonville Beach
At Fishman Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists in Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach are dedicated to ensuring that your child’s dental health is well-maintained, even when they lose baby teeth prematurely.
One of the solutions we offer is space maintainers, an essential tool to help guide the proper growth of your child’s permanent teeth. These devices are designed to prevent tooth drift and ensure that the space left by a lost baby tooth is preserved for the adult tooth.
What are Space Maintainers?
Why are Space Maintainers Important?
When your child loses a tooth before its time, problems can develop in their bite and alignment. Getting a space maintainer in Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach prevents this kind of problem from happening by keeping the space open for when the permanent tooth erupts. The appliance fills the space in the interim so that overcrowded or crooked teeth don’t develop in the future.
Here are some benefits of space maintainers:
- Prevents the movement of surrounding teeth
- Helps ensure proper alignment of permanent teeth
- Reduces the need for braces or other corrective treatments later on
- Minimizes the risk of further dental issues
When are Space Maintainers Used?
Space maintainers are typically used when a child loses a baby tooth early due to an accident or tooth decay. The timing for placing a space maintainer depends on several factors, including the child’s age, the location of the missing tooth, and whether the permanent tooth is likely to come in soon.
Some of the common situations in which space maintainers may be used include:
- Premature loss of baby teeth due to injury or decay
- Loss of baby teeth before the permanent teeth are ready to come in
- Misalignment due to tooth drift
If you notice your child has lost a tooth early, it’s important to consult with our Atlantic Beach & Jacksonville Beach pediatric dentists as soon as possible. The sooner the space maintainer is placed, the better the chances of preserving the space for the permanent teeth.
How Do Space Maintainers Work?
Space maintainers work by holding the space where a baby tooth was lost until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. Depending on your child’s needs, a space maintainer can be designed to either fit snugly between the teeth or be attached to a back molar. It will stay in place until the adult tooth erupts naturally.
Once the permanent tooth has come in, the space maintainer can be removed, usually in a simple visit to our office. We will monitor your child’s progress to ensure everything is developing as it should.
Why Choose Fishman Pediatric Dentistry?
At Fishman Pediatric Dentistry, we care about giving your child gentle and professional dental care. Our dentists and staff love working with kids, so your child will feel safe and relaxed during the appointment with us. We pay special attention because dental visits make some children nervous so we carefully detail procedures in a friendly manner, for both parents and their kids. Our practice exists to serve the communities of Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach and we happily accept patients from nearby, surrounding areas. Whether your child needs space maintainers or just a routine check-up, we are here to help.
Is Your Child in Need of a Space Maintainer?
If your child has lost a tooth early and you’re concerned about the space left behind, a space maintainer may be the perfect solution. Our team at Fishman Pediatric Dentistry is here to help with gentle, child-friendly care. Whether you’re looking for space maintainers near you or are ready to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist, we’re here for you.
