If your child has extensive damage from cavities or has an orthodontist referral, it is important to evaluate your child’s need for an extraction. At Houston’s Pediatric Dentist, our team provides comfortable and efficient extraction techniques to restore your child to health and function and prepare for future orthodontic treatment.
A space maintainer is an oral appliance made to “maintain” the space left behind by a missing baby tooth. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to decay, extraction, or dental trauma, a space maintainer may be recommended.
Fixed space maintainers are generally made of stainless steel and are cemented into the mouth. Removable space maintainers are generally made from a mixture of stainless steel and acrylic and may even have an artificial tooth. Their main function is to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the space left by a baby tooth that was lost too soon. Once the permanent tooth begins to erupt, the space maintainer will be removed.
Space maintainers are important to your child’s oral health because they prevent several complications from occurring. This is because your child’s permanent teeth are directly affected by their primary teeth and if these primary teeth are lost too soon, it tends to cause complications with the permanent teeth. These complications can include the following:
We know that children may feel anxious about getting a filling, which is why our team uses gentle and painless techniques to make the experience as comfortable as possible for your child.
At Houston’s Pediatric Dentist, we understand that each child is unique and requires a personalized approach to their dental care. Out team will work with you and your child to create a customized treatment plan that meets their specific needs and restores their smile.
We know that going to the dentist for restorative care can be stressful for children, but our team is committed to making each visit a positive and comfortable experience. Our friendly and experienced dental professionals will help your child feel at ease and make the experience as fun and enjoyable as possible.