Restorative Dentistry For Kids in Buda

Space maintainers are dental appliances that play a crucial role in your child's oral development when a baby tooth is lost prematurely. For instance, if your child accidentally knocks out a baby tooth while playing, your dentist will likely recommend a space maintainer to prevent future complications.

As the name suggests, space maintainers are designed to maintain the proper spacing in your child's smile after a baby tooth is lost too early. By holding the space open, these appliances allow the adult teeth to erupt in their correct positions, minimizing the risk of overcrowding or misalignment.

However, if your child's baby tooth falls out naturally, or if they lose a tooth due to an accident but the adult tooth is almost ready to come in, a space maintainer may not be necessary. In these cases, the adult tooth will typically erupt without any issues, and the surrounding teeth are unlikely to shift significantly. A quick oral exam and a set of x-rays will help us determine whether or not your little one needs a space maintainer.

For parents of infants, one of the most noticeable signs of tongue or lip ties is difficulty with feeding. Babies with these conditions often struggle to latch onto the breast properly and may experience issues with bottle feeding as well. If your child is extremely fussy or colicky during feedings, has trouble gaining weight, or swallows excessive amounts of air and burps frequently, these could all be indicators of a tongue or lip tie.

As children grow older, there are other signs that may suggest the need for a frenectomy, a procedure that corrects tongue and lip ties. These children may have difficulty eating certain solid foods, as their restricted tongue and lip movement can make chewing and swallowing challenging. Additionally, tongue and lip ties can lead to the development of speech impediments, particularly with sounds like "T," "D," "N," "L," and "S."

We understand that determining whether your child has tongue and lip ties or requires a frenectomy can be a daunting task for parents. However, you don't have to navigate this concern alone. At Kids Tooth Team, we can provide a thorough consultation to diagnose your child, assess the severity of their tongue and lip ties, and determine if a frenectomy is the appropriate treatment.

Children with healthy teeth generally won't need extractions, though there are a few exceptions. For instance, some kids may have an extra tooth, or require extractions as part of orthodontic treatment. Wisdom teeth, which emerge between ages 17-25, are another exception. While they're a natural part of the mouth, many kids don't have enough space for them, potentially leading to the need for removal if they don't grow in properly.

Typically, extractions are only necessary for unhealthy teeth that can't be saved with other treatments. At Kids Tooth Team, we consider extractions a last resort. We always aim to save your child’s tooth with treatments like a pulpotomy whenever possible. However, if a tooth is too damaged to save or needs to be removed to prevent further complications, Dr. Otto may recommend an extraction. Our gentle extraction procedures ensure your child remains comfortable with dental sedation throughout the process.

After an extraction, it's important to replace the missing tooth. If it's a baby tooth, Dr. Otto will suggest a space maintainer to keep the gap until the adult tooth emerges. For a lost adult tooth, a dental implant is often the best replacement option, though implants are typically placed once your child is 16-18 years old and their jaw has fully developed. In the meantime, a fixed or removable bridge can be used to fill the gap.