Space Maintainers in Pilsen, Chicago, IL to Help the Permanent Teeth Grow Properly
Little Teeth Big Teeth Pediatric Dentistry provides space maintainers in Pilsen, Chicago, IL to prevent teeth shifting after early baby tooth loss. If your child loses a baby tooth too early, then there are possible complications that can occur, which might impact their oral health in the future. Sometimes, dental extraction is necessary because of an infection or trauma. In this situation, our dental team might recommend the placement of space maintainers to prevent the surrounding teeth from moving out of position.
At Little Teeth Big Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, we provide immediate treatments with long-term results in mind. Our dental team brings many years of experience working with children of all ages. Each patient is unique, which is why we customize the treatment plan for every child that sits in our dental chair. At times, a tooth spacer might be a great option to keep your child’s smile on track for the future.
Why Space Maintainers Prevent Teeth Shifting After Early Tooth Loss
Children’s dental needs change as the mouth develops, but the potential risk of complications in the future increases when early tooth loss occurs. There are a variety of reasons why a pediatric dental extraction might be necessary, such as severe tooth decay or trauma. After the tooth is removed, it can result in a spacing problem, which can have a domino effect on the entire mouth.
Pediatric dental space maintainers are placed in the gap where the tooth is missing to hold this space open until the permanent teeth grow in. This prevents shifting problems, which also reduces the risk of crowding, bite issues, and other dental complications later in life. In fact, the placement of a maxillary space maintainer can help your child avoid complex orthodontic treatments later in life.
Types of Pediatric Space Maintainers
When you visit our dental office in Pilsen, Chicago, IL (convenient and close to you), our experienced dental team will evaluate your child’s jaw growth, tooth timing, and overall development to determine whether a pediatric dental spacer is necessary. Then, we will recommend the ideal type of spacer based on your child’s unique needs.
Single Tooth Replacement
Even if only one baby tooth is missing, it can have a domino effect on the entire smile. A small space maintainer can be placed to protect the nearby teeth and overall bite alignment.
Multiple Missing Teeth
The potential complications increase when multiple baby teeth are extracted. We can use several single-space maintainers or larger arches, depending on the location of the gaps within the mouth.
Fixed Lower Arch Support
If multiple baby teeth on the lower jaw are lost early, then a lingual arch space maintainer (also known as a lower space maintainer or lower lingual arch space maintainer) is a common recommendation.
Upper Arch Support
If teeth are missing in the upper jaw, then a maxillary space maintainer might be the best solution. This treatment prevents the teeth from drifting forward.
How Space Maintainers Support Healthy Oral Development
It’s no surprise that oral development in childhood has a domino effect on oral health in adulthood. Space maintainers in pediatric dentistry can be a great way to address common issues early in life and reduce the risk of complications in the future.
Our team at Little Teeth Big Teeth Pediatric Dentistry uses modern dentistry to help your child’s permanent teeth erupt in their correct positions. These treatments help to reduce the risk of crowding and misalignment, which decreases the need for orthodontic interventions. When used at the right time, space maintainers can have an undeniable impact on healthy oral development.
For more information, contact our team at Little Teeth Big Teeth Pediatric Dentistry to schedule a consultation at our dental office near you (located in Pilsen, Chicago, IL). We offer personalized pediatric dental services for children of all ages, including check-ups and cleanings, fillings, crowns, and more.
Any questions? We’ve got you covered.
At our kid-friendly dental clinic, we specialize in caring for little smiles. From your child’s very first visit to regular checkups, we make every appointment fun, gentle, and stress-free—so both kids and parents can feel at ease.
The treatment timing depends on your child’s age and how long it will take for the permanent tooth to erupt. Sometimes, space maintainers are only needed for a few months, while other children might need to wear them for a few years.
There is an adjustment period, but most children get used to wearing space maintainers within a few days. If your child continues to complain about discomfort after a week or two, then reach out to our local dental office for a follow-up appointment.
Yes, children can eat most of their favorite foods. But certain things need to be avoided because they could damage the maintainers, such as sticky or hard foods.
If your dentist recommends a space maintainer and you decline the treatment, then it could lead to dental complications. The open gap in the mouth might cause neighboring teeth to shift, which could lead to bite issues or overcrowding. Skipping space maintainers might increase the need for more involved orthodontic treatments in the future.
