Dental Space Maintainers for Kids?

[HLAuburn]

I posted awhile back, but I wanted to post again and see if anyone has any experiences with kids and space maintainers for teeth, particularly distal shoes. DD6 has a 2 year molar that never erupted, so several dentists have recommended that it be removed.

My DH and I agree that it needs to come out, but our concern is that they are also saying that the space needs to be maintained until the 12 year molar comes in. This means she will have an appliance in for +/- 6 years. Does anyone have any experiences with placement of a space maintainer? How did your child tolerate it? We are very concerned that DD will "freak out" with something like that in here mouth and since it's such a commitment, we want to make sure we have all the options.

Thanks!

 

[momof1princess]

DD13 had a space maintainer on her lower teeth for about 4 years, and did very well with it. it did come loose a few times, usually when she had her teeth cleaned, and they would just re-cement it and send us on our way. it worked out very well-all of DD's lower teeth have come in and are all straight! she did have to get a couple of teeth pulled early on, and that turned out not to be a big deal either-she goes to a pediatric dentist, and they're VERY good with things like that.
best of luck to your DD!

 

[SmallWorld71]

DS11 has had one in for about 4 years where he had to have a tooth pulled. It took a little getting used to in the beginning, but no problems with it.

 

[scrapquitler]

My 7 year old son has one where he had to have a molar pulled. It's really not that big of a deal. There's a band around the tooth next to it, and that band is cemented on, then there is a wire thing that goes from the band over the space (it kind of looks like the end of a paper clip). He has had it in there for about a year and a half now. The dentist tells me that they will remove it when the molar it is attached to gets to the point where it will start getting loose or when the tooth in that space starts to erupt, whichever comes first (and he told me which he expects to happen first, and I don't remember). Each time my son is at the dentist they check it to make sure that it is still secure and that it doesn't need any adjustment. For the first day or two DS said it felt a little weird, but he doesn't even notice it now.

I wouldn't have any concerns about it. It's much better than not doing it and having all the surrrounding teeth start moving into that empty space. That would just be more work (and more $$) for an orthodontist later.

 

[HLAuburn]

Thank you for the responses!

My 7 year old son has one where he had to have a molar pulled. It's really not that big of a deal. There's a band around the tooth next to it, and that band is cemented on, then there is a wire thing that goes from the band over the space (it kind of looks like the end of a paper clip). He has had it in there for about a year and a half now. The dentist tells me that they will remove it when the molar it is attached to gets to the point where it will start getting loose or when the tooth in that space starts to erupt, whichever comes first (and he told me which he expects to happen first, and I don't remember). Each time my son is at the dentist they check it to make sure that it is still secure and that it doesn't need any adjustment. For the first day or two DS said it felt a little weird, but he doesn't even notice it now.

I wouldn't have any concerns about it. It's much better than not doing it and having all the surrrounding teeth start moving into that empty space. That would just be more work (and more $$) for an orthodontist later.

So is his maintainer just on the one side? That sounds like maybe a band and loop type space maintainer. That is what we were hoping for, but her dentist is recommending a "distal shoe" with a wire that would go across the roof of her mouth and attach to the other side as well. It sounds more "invasive" than what your DS has, which is what concerns us. The dentist said she has had NO success with the one-sided type, but it really seems like a viable option from what I've read online.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Starbrite]

Wow. This is a very timely thread.

My DD9 just had 3 molars pulled this week. They ordered the spacer while we were there - she'll be having it on in about 3 weeks. I believe the one we are getting she called bilateral?? It will be cemented to a back tooth on each side, with a wire band along the back inside of all the top teeth. I guess I picture it kinda like a retainer, but on the backside of your teeth - without that gross pink piece

My DD is very very afraid of the dentist. She has serious anxiety as it is, and the dentist just makes it worse. She had to have IV Sedation the last 2 times we needed dental work. I'm a little nervous about her even getting this in, but our dentist thinks she can do it.


I'd be happy to check back here in about 3 weeks & let you know how it goes.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thank you for the responses!



So is his maintainer just on the one side? That sounds like maybe a band and loop type space maintainer. That is what we were hoping for, but her dentist is recommending a "distal shoe" with a wire that would go across the roof of her mouth and attach to the other side as well. It sounds more "invasive" than what your DS has, which is what concerns us. The dentist said she has had NO success with the one-sided type, but it really seems like a viable option from what I've read online.

Thanks again for the help!

My daughter had one that sounds like what you are describing. But it went along the back of her teeth from one side to the other rather than up thru the roof of her mouth. THat didn't bother her at all.

If you are concerned that it will be too invasive, I'd suggest a second opinion (and I'd probably get it from an orthodontist).

As far as what my son has, I thought that the dentist called it a "distal shoe" so I googled it, and the picture I found says "Distal Shoe" and it looks just like what my son has. (this photo is not his mouth)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...bSJAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

 

[HLAuburn]

My daughter had one that sounds like what you are describing. But it went along the back of her teeth from one side to the other rather than up thru the roof of her mouth. THat didn't bother her at all.

If you are concerned that it will be too invasive, I'd suggest a second opinion (and I'd probably get it from an orthodontist).

As far as what my son has, I thought that the dentist called it a "distal shoe" so I googled it, and the picture I found says "Distal Shoe" and it looks just like what my son has. (this photo is not his mouth)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...bSJAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

Thanks again! We actually have had a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinion! We have seen another ped dentist, and orthodontist, and an oral surgeon. They all agree it needs to come out, but they pretty much refer it back to the ped dentist to decide how to maintain the space best. All of them seem to think she will tolerate the bilateral one fine, but as I'm sure you know, only we really know our kids, and I worry she will freak out with something like that in her mouth. The spacer that's just on the one side seems so much better to me.

Just trying to gather some info on both kinds. The dentist said she would (reluctantly?) but the one-sided one in, but she's convinced it will fail. It seems to be used a quite a bit, so I'm not sure why she hasn't had luck with them.

Anyway, thanks again for the help!

 

[KristaTX]

Dang, I'm really losing it. I first read your thread title as Dental Space Mountaineers .

 

[SmallWorld71]

As far as what my son has, I thought that the dentist called it a "distal shoe" so I googled it, and the picture I found says "Distal Shoe" and it looks just like what my son has. (this photo is not his mouth)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...bSJAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0

This is what DS11 has. Took a couple of days to get used to; otherwise no problems.