At Lil’ Dente Pediatric Dentistry in Darien, we help protect your child’s long-term dental health with proactive solutions like space maintainers. When a baby tooth is lost too early, whether from decay, injury, or extraction it can lead to shifting teeth and crowding. Space maintenance ensures that the surrounding teeth stay in place, keeping room open for the permanent tooth to grow in properly.
Baby teeth serve an important purpose, they guide permanent teeth into the correct position. If one is lost too early, nearby teeth may drift into the empty space. This can block the path of incoming adult teeth, leading to bite problems, crooked smiles, or the need for braces. A space maintainer holds the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Space maintenance is a preventive treatment that helps protect the natural order of your child’s dental development. It’s a small device with big benefits, helping ensure a straighter, healthier smile down the road. With early action, you can spare your child from future dental complications and added expense.
Did you know...
Children who receive space maintainers after early tooth loss are far less likely to need extractions, braces, or bite correction later. Early action saves smiles, and saves money.
At Lil’ Dente, we specialize in monitoring your child’s oral development and providing personalized solutions that set them up for long-term success. Our experienced pediatric dentists understand the timing and importance of early intervention. When space maintenance is needed, we explain everything in simple, reassuring terms that parents and kids can understand.
We use child-friendly techniques and materials to ensure every space maintainer fits comfortably and works efficiently. From initial diagnosis to follow-up visits, we’re with your family every step of the way, making preventive care as easy and stress-free as possible.
We evaluate your child’s dental development and identify any early tooth loss that may require intervention. X-rays help us understand tooth position and timing.
A mold is taken of your child’s teeth, and a space maintainer is custom-made to fit their unique bite and needs.
The device is placed comfortably and checked regularly to ensure it stays secure. Once the new tooth begins to emerge, we remove the space maintainer safely.
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Many dental plans cover this preventive treatment. Our team will help verify your benefits before starting.
Yes. There are fixed and removable options. Our pediatric dentist will recommend the best type based on your child’s needs.
Usually until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt, which varies from child to child. We’ll monitor it closely during checkups.
Not at all. Space maintainers are custom-made to fit comfortably. Most children adjust to them quickly.
If a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer may be needed to keep the space open until the permanent tooth erupts.