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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Space Maintainers in Walsingham
Lost a baby tooth too early? Walsingham parents can learn how a space maintainer can hold room for the adult tooth, how it is fitted and how to look after it at home.
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Serving Walsingham households from our Port Dover office
See every dental service for WalsinghamSaving room for adult teeth
When a baby tooth leaves early, the gap may need holding.
Baby teeth act as natural placeholders for the adult teeth developing beneath them. If a baby molar is lost early because of decay or injury, nearby teeth can drift into the gap and reduce the space needed for the adult tooth. A space maintainer is a small appliance that holds that space open until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
Walsingham families whose child has lost a baby tooth early can have the space assessed at our Port Dover office. The dentist will look at which tooth was lost, your child’s age and the position of the developing adult tooth, then explain whether a space maintainer is needed or monitoring is enough.
When needed
Not every early tooth loss needs a maintainer.
Teeth most likely to need one
Early loss of baby molars, especially well before the adult teeth are expected, often benefits from a space maintainer because back teeth tend to shift forward. The dentist considers how long until the adult tooth is likely to erupt, whether it is present and how quickly the space may close.
When monitoring may be enough
If the adult tooth is close to coming through, or if the lost tooth was a front baby tooth, a maintainer may not be needed. X-rays help the dentist judge timing. In some cases, monitoring the space at regular checkups is the recommended approach, with a maintainer considered only if the space starts to close.
Types
Different designs suit different situations.
Fixed space maintainers
Fixed maintainers are cemented to a neighbouring tooth, often with a band and a wire loop that extends across the gap. Because they cannot be removed by the child, they work continuously and do not depend on remembering to wear them. They are commonly used for single missing back teeth.
Removable space maintainers
Removable maintainers look similar to a retainer and can be taken out for cleaning. They may include artificial teeth for appearance or chewing. They require the child to wear them consistently. The dentist chooses a design based on the missing tooth, the child’s age and how reliably it can be worn.
Fitting
Fitting a maintainer usually takes two visits.
Records and fabrication
At the first visit, the dentist examines the area and takes an impression or scan. For a fixed maintainer, a band may be fitted to a neighbouring tooth. The appliance is then made to fit your child’s mouth. The process is generally comfortable and does not usually require freezing.
Placing the appliance
At the fitting visit, the maintainer is checked for fit and comfort. A fixed maintainer is cemented in place, while a removable one is adjusted and your child is shown how to put it in and take it out. The dentist will explain care instructions and what to watch for.
Care
Simple care keeps the maintainer working.
Cleaning and eating
Brush carefully around the maintainer and the teeth it attaches to, as food and plaque can collect there. Avoid sticky, hard and chewy foods like caramels, gum and ice, which can loosen or bend the appliance. Discourage your child from pushing on it with their tongue or fingers.
Checkups and removal
The dentist checks the maintainer at regular visits and monitors the adult tooth’s progress with X-rays. When the adult tooth begins to come in, the maintainer is removed. Contact the office if the maintainer becomes loose, bent, broken or causes discomfort.
Planning your appointment
Checking an early gap
If your child has lost a baby tooth early, Walsingham parents can call our Port Dover office to arrange an assessment. Mention which tooth was lost and when.
Bring your child’s dental records if they were seen elsewhere, and let the team know about any discomfort or habits like tongue pushing.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Space maintainer questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Does a space maintainer hurt?
Placing a maintainer is usually comfortable and does not require freezing. Some children feel slight pressure or awareness for a few days as they get used to it.
How long will my child wear it?
It stays until the adult tooth begins to erupt, which may be months or years depending on age and the tooth involved. The dentist monitors progress at checkups.
What if the maintainer comes loose?
Call the office. Keep the appliance if it comes out. A loose maintainer may need recementing or adjusting to continue holding the space.
Can my child eat normally?
Mostly, yes. Avoid sticky, hard and chewy foods that could damage or dislodge the maintainer. Cut foods into smaller pieces if needed.
Is a space maintainer the same as braces?
No. A space maintainer holds space for an adult tooth. Braces move teeth. Some children may still need orthodontic treatment later.
Bite and growth topics
Children’s Dentistry →Early Orthodontic Assessments →
Should your child’s bite be checked before all adult teeth arrive? Walsingham families can learn what an early orthodontic assessment looks for and when referral may help.
Children’s Dental Exams →
What happens at a child’s dental checkup? Walsingham families can learn what our Port Dover dentists look for, from early decay to bite changes and brushing habits.