When primary teeth are lost prematurely, problems can arise if the space necessary to allow the eruption of the permanent tooth is not maintained properly. To ensure that your child’s adult teeth have adequate space, our pediatric dentist may recommend placing a space maintainer in their mouth.

The purpose of space maintainers is to provide “space” for permanent teeth. Space maintainers prevent adult teeth from erupting improperly into an empty space rather than where they should be in the mouth. This causes overcrowding and other dental problems as primary teeth fall out and adult teeth replace them.

Occasionally, children lose their baby teeth as a result of trauma, congenital defects, accidents, or decay. As there are different types of space maintainers, our pediatric dentist will make a recommendation based on the individual needs of your child.

If your child has lost a primary tooth prematurely, Sunny Day Pediatric Dentistry can provide a pediatric space maintainer to ensure the proper eruption of their permanent teeth. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about space maintainers or to schedule an appointment.