While it’s true that baby teeth are destined to fall out and be replaced by their adult counterparts, when they fall out too early, their absence can cause trouble down the line. Fortunately, space maintainers can keep your child’s teeth from shifting, so their smiles can continue to grow and develop as they should.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first baby teeth start to fall out around the age of 6, and the last baby teeth fall out around the ages of 12-14.
Why would my child need space maintainers?
Space maintainers are essential if your child loses a baby tooth early. Baby teeth are meant to fall out eventually. But they also help form the “paths” that the adult teeth take when they emerge, and help young patients maintain proper alignment for their permanent teeth. If they lose a tooth early, they may have a higher risk of orthodontic complications later in life. With a space maintainer, your child’s pediatric dentist can make sure that early baby tooth loss doesn’t affect their oral development.