Space Maintainers in Vienna, VA
A space maintainer is a device that preserves the correct spacing of the teeth when a baby tooth is lost too soon. Because baby teeth are guides for permanent teeth that will come in later, it creates problems if they are lost too soon.
Why Might Baby Teeth Be Lost Too Soon?
Any of these causes can result in the early loss of baby teeth:
- Active children might lose one or more teeth in a fall or accident.
- Infants given bottles of milk or juice at night can develop serious decay that causes the loss of teeth.
- A child could be missing teeth because of a genetic condition.
What Problems Can Arise When Baby Teeth Are Lost?
- Permanent teeth are more likely to erupt into the wrong positions.
- Teeth on either side of the missing tooth can become loose because they don’t have the support they need.
- Other teeth may shift into the empty space.
By placing a fixed or removable space maintainer in the child’s mouth, it’s possible to prevent the need for intensive orthodontic treatment to move teeth back into their optimum positions.
If teeth are lost early or become decayed, let Dr. Reem create the perfect space maintainer for your child to protect their alignment and bite. To schedule an evaluation, call (703) 821-2222 or schedule an appointment online.