Space Maintainers for Kids in Calgary
When a baby tooth is lost too early, a space maintainer helps hold that spot open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. This simple appliance protects your child's bite and prevents costly alignment problems down the road.
About Space Maintainers
A space maintainer is a small dental appliance used to hold open the space left by a lost baby tooth, preventing neighboring teeth from shifting into that gap before the permanent tooth is ready to emerge. One of the most common types is the band and loop space maintainer, which fits around an adjacent tooth with a small loop holding the space open. At Royal Oak Smiles, we determine the right type of space maintainer based on which tooth was lost and your child's specific dental development.
What is Condition
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, whether from injury or untreated cavity fillings, nearby teeth can shift into the empty space faster than expected. This shifting can block the permanent tooth from coming in properly, leading to crowding, misalignment, or bite problems that may require more extensive orthodontic treatment later. A space maintainer prevents this by holding the space open until the adult tooth is ready.
Symptoms and Causes
- A baby tooth lost earlier than expected, from injury or decay
- Visible gaps where a tooth has come out prematurely
- A dentist noting during a checkup that a permanent tooth isn't ready to emerge yet
- Concern about neighboring teeth shifting into an open space
What to Expect
Fitting a space maintainer is quick and painless. Your dentist takes an impression of the area, and the appliance is custom fit to hold the space open comfortably. Your child will have regular checkups to monitor the area and remove the space maintainer once the permanent tooth is ready to come in on its own.
Why Choose Royal Oak Smiles
Our team of three dentists closely monitors children's dental development to catch situations where a space maintainer is needed, helping prevent bigger orthodontic issues later. We provide this as part of our broader family dental care, keeping track of your child's growth over time. We're open evenings until 8 PM Monday through Thursday, plus weekends, so appointments fit around school schedules. We direct bill most major Alberta insurance providers and are a participating provider for CDCP and NIHB.
Consultation and Procedure Fee
The cost of a space maintainer depends on the type needed and which tooth is affected. We'll provide a clear estimate during your child's checkup. We direct bill most major Alberta insurance providers, and are a participating provider for CDCP and NIHB.
Recovery Timeline
There is no recovery period needed. A space maintainer is ready to use immediately after fitting, and your child can eat and speak normally right away, with a short adjustment period to get used to the appliance in their mouth.
Related Treatments
Reviews
Royal Oak Smiles holds a 4.7 star rating from over 368 Google reviews, reflecting the trust families place in our care for children's dental development.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when a baby tooth is lost too early, a space maintainer prevents neighboring teeth from shifting into the gap, which can otherwise lead to crowding or alignment issues once the permanent tooth is ready to come in.
No, fitting a space maintainer is painless. Your child may feel a bit of pressure or need a short adjustment period to get used to it, but it shouldn't cause ongoing discomfort.
This varies depending on the child and which tooth was lost, but a space maintainer typically stays in place until the permanent tooth is ready to emerge, which your dentist will monitor at regular checkups.
Cost depends on the type of space maintainer needed and which tooth is affected. We'll provide a clear estimate at your child's appointment.
Many dental insurance plans cover space maintainers for children. We direct bill most major Alberta providers and are a participating provider for CDCP and NIHB.
Book Your Appointment
Protect your child's smile with a properly fitted space maintainer. Book an appointment with Royal Oak Smiles today.