Simple Dental Space Maintenance for Children

Pediatric space management is often the key to preventing a serious malocclusion in the permanent dentition. The early loss of primary teeth can result in a reduction of arch length directly affecting the later eruption of the adult teeth. If the permanent teeth are not going to erupt within six months of primary tooth loss, appliance therapy is indicated.

The early loss of a tooth is usually due to dental caries or trauma and if space loss has not already occurred, rapid intervention with a space maintaining appliance is of utmost importance. If space loss has already occurred, a space regaining approach should be considered.  Our clinical case exemplifies the premature loss of anterior teeth due to “Baby Bottle Syndrome.”

On the day of the extraction, the doctor delivered a Groper Fixed Anterior Bridge.

Esthetic and strength are the key advantages to selecting the Groper. From an esthetic perspective, the teeth are now made with a non-staining composite—instead of plastic. This allows you to characterize them and repair them when necessary.

In terms of strength, the anterior bridge is made extra strong by attaching each tooth separately to a specially designed, stainless steel pad (an SML™ exclusive).

Each unit is then welded and soldered to the arch wire.

As you can see, within a week the tissue is healed and the patient is able to maintain normal speech, function and esthetics.

Space maintenance is a relatively simple procedure…and follow-up appointments are generally only needed to monitor and document growth. The average fee for this type of procedure ranges from $1000–$1500. Even if you only place one appliance a month, that adds a minimum of $12,000 each year to your bottom line. Nice.

For a more detailed, comprehensive discussion of Space Maintenance and Pediatric Dentition (as well as the appropriate appliance therapy), visit www.SMLglobal.com
and access
“INTEGRATING APPLIANCE THERAPY INTO YOUR PRACTICE”

~ OR ~

Consult the textbook
Principles of Appliance Therapy For Adults and Children
by Rob Veis, DDS, and John Christian MBA, CDT.
(Section 2 – Space Maintenance.)