When a tooth develops a severe cavity or infection, or when a serious injury arises, teeth can become lost too soon. Premature tooth loss then leads to serious consequences, including a higher risk of dental misalignment. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about what happens when a tooth is lost early and how we can help with space maintainers, preventing complications like dental misalignment.
The Causes of Early Tooth Loss
Kids will lose baby teeth naturally. These fall out on specific schedules, which allows the permanent teeth to erupt and film the space in the smile. But when a baby tooth is lost too soon, this could allow teeth to drift and complicate how permanent teeth arrive, which can lead to misalignment and poor bite balance. Kids could lose teeth early when a cavity or infection is not treated, which causes tooth loss or requires extraction to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the smile. Injury could also be an issue. When a tooth is lost too soon, we could help with a Phase One orthodontic appliance known as a space maintainer.
Space Maintainers
The space maintainer is an oral appliance that connects to the teeth on each side of the gap, and helps prevent any teeth from shifting, so the space stays open and clear. The permanent tooth can then erupt and fill the space properly, sparing your child from misalignment and other complications. The appliance can be fixed in place, so it doesn’t need to be removed. This is often preferable for some kids, as this lowers the risk of it being forgotten or lost. But we also have removable options, and can discuss how to properly clean and soak them as needed.
If you have any questions about how our team will protect smiles that lose teeth early with a space maintainer, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with our team for a checkup and cleaning, or to discuss treating misalignment, then contact our office today to learn more and get started.
Avoiding Tooth Loss in Shirley, NY
We want to help kids enjoy complete smiles and avoid the onset of dental misalignment. We can offer Phase One interceptive orthodontics for kids as young as age seven, and help teens with braces and even Invisalign® aligners. Kids deserve good oral health and an even smile, and we can help make it possible. We also offer orthodontic treatment for adults too! To find out more about us, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY at 631.399.1600 today. We look forward to seeing you and your children and helping you all enjoy better oral health and alignment.
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