As their name suggests, space maintainers preserve the space in the gum tissue after a tooth is prematurely lost. We reserve them primarily for children who lose a primary or baby tooth to prevent the ramifications of tooth loss from impacting their still-developing smile. However, they also benefit anyone who has lost a secondary or adult tooth.
According to Mouth Healthy, space maintainers help hold space for permanent teeth. However, to fully understand their significance, one must understand the ramifications of premature tooth loss. Several factors can contribute to premature tooth loss, such as decay, infection, or trauma. Regardless, when a tooth is lost, it can result in the breakdown of oral function, impacting how one chews and speaks. Aside from the less-than-appealing aesthetics associated with a missing tooth, the new space can also cause the surrounding teeth to shift.
Space maintainers directly address the more pressing ramifications of premature tooth loss. The key benefits include:
When a tooth is lost, depending on its location, it can make it difficult to freely enjoy textured foods. Likewise, when teeth shift, they can twist and turn into undesirable locations. Coupled with the jawbone still developing, chewing can become difficult or intricate.
Baby teeth serve as a precursor for adult teeth. When one is prematurely lost, the space or route the adult tooth needs to properly erupt becomes narrowed or completely closed. This new structure can lead to impaction and other severe oral development issues. Space maintainers hold the necessary space open for proper adult tooth eruption.
Space maintainers prevent the adjacent teeth of the missing space from shifting. Naturally, when a tooth is lost, the teeth will try to fill the space. As the jawbone develops, it will also try to make up the space, as nothing communicates that it is occupied. Space maintainers communicate with the surrounding teeth and jawbones that the space needs to stay open.
It is no secret that a missing tooth can cause speech problems. However, they may have longer-lasting effects on those still building their vocabulary (e.g., children and teens). As individuals learn new words and their pronunciation, they are likely to keep the improper way they learned the word as they age and even after their smile is corrected—resulting in a speech impediment and, subsequently, needing a speech therapist to correct issues. Space maintainers prevent the latter from being necessary, as they allow the jaw and adult teeth to develop without hindrance.
If you or your child has lost a tooth, space maintainers are a viable solution for preventing the ramifications associated with the condition. Contact the Lovrovich Orthodontics office to determine an appropriate course of action unique to your situation. We serve patients in and around the Seattle area.
Request an appointment here: https://www.loveortho.com or call Lovrovich Orthodontics at (206) 525-7000 for an appointment in our Seattle office.
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