Space Maintainers

Yes, especially if a baby tooth falls out prematurely! 

It’s important for emerging adult teeth to have the space needed to erupt where they’re supposed to. If they don’t, they can get blocked by surrounding teeth (impacted), potentially requiring braces or even an extraction down the road.

Many times the transition from baby tooth to adult tooth is smooth, not requiring a space maintainer. But sometimes a baby tooth can fall out prematurely from tooth decay or injury.

Since baby teeth serve as a guide for where adult teeth need to grow, a baby tooth that falls out prematurely can cause misaligned adult teeth and lengthy procedures in the future. Space maintainers are the perfect solution for when baby teeth fall out prematurely.

When the space maintainer needs to be removed depends on the type being used. Be sure to consult with your dentist for recommendations specific to your situation.

Sometimes a space maintainer isn’t necessary, but a pediatric dentist can help make that determination. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that parents bring in their child every 6 months for regular checkups. Then we can see if your child’s adult teeth are erupting correctly.