What are space maintainers?

Space maintainers are dental devices used to keep space open in the mouth when a baby tooth is lost prematurely or a permanent tooth is coming in late. They ensure that the permanent teeth come in the right location and prevent other teeth from shifting.

When should I choose space maintainers?

You should choose space maintainers when a child loses a baby tooth prematurely, which could cause the other teeth to shift into the empty space, affecting the eruption of permanent teeth. Space maintainers are also used in adults to keep the space open for a replacement tooth after tooth loss.

What types of space maintainers are available?

There are two main types of space maintainers: removable and fixed. Removable space maintainers are made of acrylic and can be easily removed for cleaning. Fixed space maintainers are cemented into place and attached to neighboring teeth to hold the space open for a permanent tooth.

What are the different types of fixed space maintainers?

Different types of fixed space maintainers include: 1) Band-and-Loop Device: Used when one or more baby molars are lost. 2) Transpalatal Arch: Fits on the molars of the upper jaw to preserve space. 3) Distal Shoe Appliance: Used to maintain space for a child's first permanent molar. 4) Lingual Holding Arch: Keeps the space for lower back teeth.

Can I eat sticky or chewy food with a space maintainer?

It is recommended to avoid sticky or chewy food while wearing a space maintainer as it may cause the device to shift or fall out.

Space Maintainers
in Fort Mcmurray

Space Maintainers

Fort McMurray Family Dentists

Typically used on children, space maintainers come into play when baby teeth are lost pre-maturely or permanent teeth come in late. These maintainers support your child’s mouth until the gaps fill in with permanent teeth. By implementing this treatment, we are ensuring the development of these teeth in the appropriate locations.

Adult space maintainers are another service we provide and used when you have tooth loss. By using the maintainer, this empty space is kept open for a replacement. When the space is not maintained, it is hard to insert a replacement tooth.

There are two types of space maintainers available, removable or fixed. Contact us for your consultation today!

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When To Choose

Space Maintainers

If your child has a primary tooth missing for a short period of time, their other teeth can move into spots reserved for permanent teeth. The shifting of other teeth affects the eruption of permanent teeth in the correct areas. With no other space for these teeth to go, they head into the wrong zone.

We have two types of space maintainers, removable and fixed. Removable maintainers are made of acrylic. When this kind of maintainer is put in your child’s mouth, we use blocks of dental material or false teeth to hold the spaces open. If your child has several missing teeth then we provide partial dentures, a great option for a removable maintainer. This type of space maintainer is best for older children since they will be able to clean it, remove it and care for it as required, easier than a younger child.

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Fixed Appliance
Space Maintaner

Fort McMurray Family Dental

1(780) 790-0088

A fixed maintainer is attached to the neighbouring teeth with dental cement. The teeth it attaches to are the ones beside the gap that hold the place open for a new tooth. If there is no back tooth to connect to then a lingual arch wire may be used. The wire wraps around the other teeth, holding them in their places while the maintainer is fit on the upper or lower jaw, keeping space for front or back teeth.

There are several different choices at our dental office when we give you a fixed maintainer. Fixed appliances are custom made so we need to take an impression of the mouth and send it to the lab for manufacturing. These kinds of maintainers are typically made from acrylic with bands or loops formed out of stainless steel wires that hold them in position.

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Come into Franklin Dental and talk to one of our friendly dentists for more information about Space Maintainers.

Types of Fixed Space Maintainers

● Band-And-Loop Device: A stainless steel wire composition held in place with orthodontic bands that allow the permanent teeth to erupt without any blocking. These are used when one or more baby molars are lost in the same dental arch.

● Transpalatal Arch: Fitted on the molars of the upper jaw, it preserves space on both sides of the dental arch and is held in place by wire which is fastened around the adjoining teeth.

● Distal Shoe Appliance: This appliance is fitted over your baby’s first molar to maintain space for their first permanent molar when the baby loses his/her tooth.

● Lingual Holding Arch: This arch is attached to the molars keeping the space or the lower back teeth on both sides.

We suggest you avoid sticky, chewy food with a space maintainer in your mouth as this can cause the device to shift or fall out. Now that you have some knowledge about space maintainers, what are you waiting for? Make sure your child’s teeth come in where they are supposed to.

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Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (587) 570-8386 for clarity.

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Franklin Dental Centre

1(780) 790-0088

Open on Saturday and during the week nights, we can book you in for a dental appointment when most offices will be closed. Our friendly staff will provide you with a personalized dental experience, taking care of your tooth and gum needs. Our certified professionals will accommodate sedation requirements during your procedure to help get rid of those nerves.

At Franklin Dental, there is no need to worry once your appointment is complete because we follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide so your dental experience can be an affordable venture.

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201 - 8706 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB