Space maintainers

Space Maintainers at Valley View Dental – Supporting Healthy Smiles for Growing Kids

At Valley View Dental, we understand that a child’s early dental development sets the stage for a lifetime of oral health. Space maintainers play a crucial role in keeping smiles on track when a primary tooth is lost prematurely. As your trusted family dental home in St. Peter, our team is here to ensure your child’s teeth develop properly, creating a foundation for a healthy and beautiful smile.

What Are Space Maintainers?

Space maintainers are small, custom-made devices that hold the space left by a missing primary tooth. This helps prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the open space, which could cause alignment issues when permanent teeth come in. Our community dental clinic offers space maintainers as part of our family dentistry services, making it easy for you to provide proactive care for your child’s growing smile.

Benefits of Space Maintainers for Family Oral Health

Guides Proper Tooth Alignment

Space maintainers hold space for permanent teeth, supporting natural alignment and preventing crowding.

Prevents Future Orthodontic Issues

By maintaining the natural spacing in your child’s mouth, space maintainers can reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.

Comfortable and Custom-Fit

At our family dental office, each space maintainer is custom-made to fit comfortably, ensuring your child’s smile stays healthy and supported.

Why Choose Valley View Dental for Space Maintainers?

As a family dental dentist dedicated to comprehensive pediatric care, we provide the specialized treatments your child needs to maintain a healthy, balanced smile. Known as the best family dentist in the area, Valley View Dental offers compassionate, personalized care in a friendly, welcoming environment. Our family dentistry clinic is equipped to handle the unique dental needs of young patients, making every visit positive and supportive.

A Trusted Family Dentistry Clinic for Your Child’s Health

From toddlers to teens, our family smile center is here to protect and support your child’s dental development. At Valley View Dental, we prioritize preventive care, helping families maintain oral health and avoid issues before they arise. Our goal as your dentist for family dentistry is to provide high-quality care that ensures a strong foundation for your child’s future smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a space maintainer, and how does it work?
A space maintainer is a custom-made device that holds the space left by a missing baby tooth, preventing other teeth from shifting into that space and ensuring proper alignment for permanent teeth.
Why would my child need a space maintainer?
If your child loses a primary tooth early, a space maintainer can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting, which could cause alignment issues when permanent teeth come in.
Is a space maintainer uncomfortable for children?
No, space maintainers are designed to be comfortable and custom-fitted to your child’s mouth. After a brief adjustment period, most children don’t notice them.
How long will my child need to wear a space maintainer?
The space maintainer stays in place until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. This timeframe varies depending on each child’s development.
Are there different types of space maintainers?
Yes, there are fixed and removable space maintainers. The type used depends on the location of the missing tooth and your child’s needs.
Does a space maintainer require special care?
Your child should avoid sticky or hard foods and brush carefully around the space maintainer to keep it clean. Regular dental checkups ensure it remains in good condition.
Will a space maintainer affect my child’s speech?
Some children may notice minor changes in their speech at first, but they typically adjust quickly and speak normally within a short time.
Can space maintainers prevent the need for braces?
While they can’t guarantee avoiding braces, space maintainers help reduce the risk of significant alignment issues, which may lessen the extent of future orthodontic treatment.
How is a space maintainer placed in the mouth?
Placing a space maintainer is a simple, painless process. Our dentist will make impressions of your child’s teeth to create a custom-fit device that’s secured in place.
Are space maintainers covered by insurance?
Many dental insurance plans cover space maintainers. We recommend checking with your provider, and our office can assist with insurance questions.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Family Dental Office

If your child has lost a primary tooth early, a space maintainer may be the best solution to support their dental development. Contact our family dental home today to schedule an appointment and discover the caring, professional service that Valley View Dental provides for every member of the family.