Space Maintainers in Fairfax, VA

A space maintainer is a dental device used by pediatric dentists. If a child’s teeth fall out early, space maintainers are added to keep permanent (adult) teeth from erupting into the gap. The device also helps avoid premature tooth loss in children. They also aid in preventing malocclusions (teeth misalignment), overcrowding, and other orthodontic issues.

Advantages of Space Maintainers

Who is Eligible for this treatment?

Trauma, genetic problems, decay and other factors might cause a child’s baby teeth to fall out early. When a youngster loses a tooth too soon, a dentist may suggest using a space maintainer (spacer) to hold the gap created by the missing tooth.

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Types of treatments

Space maintainers can be removable or fixed and unilateral or bilateral.

Removable space maintainers: Are constructed of acrylic and are comparable to orthodontic retainers. In some instances, a prosthetic tooth may be used to fill a gap that must stay open for the unerupted tooth. Patients can take in the spacer in and out of the mouth.
Fixed space maintainers: Fixed space maintainers are most commonly used by pediatric dentists. These spacers are attached to the teeth with dental cement and can not be taken in and out of the mouth. Some examples include:
Unilateral band and loop space maintainer: This type of spacer is fixed to one side of the mouth. It is used when a child loses one tooth.
Crown and loop space maintainer: This form of space maintainer can be used when both a baby stainless steel crown and spacer is needed.
Distal shoe space maintainer: Is used to prevent the permanent first molar from erupting into the space.
Lingual arch space maintainer: This type of spacer is cemented to both sides of the mouth and wraps behind the lower teeth.

Finding a Dentist that Offers Space Maintainers

You can keep your child’s mouth healthy and prevent orthodontic treatments with space maintainers from us- Pumpkin Pediatric Dentistry in Fairfax, VA. Book an appointment with our board certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Floyd.