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Extractions and Space Maintainers in Ogden, UT
Extractions and Space Maintainers
If your child needs a dental extraction, whether due to decay, infection, or orthodontic reasons, we offer gentle, expert care to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Ensuring Healthy Smiles for Growing Kids
At Christensen Pediatric Dental, we understand that sometimes a baby tooth needs to be removed early due to injury, decay, or infection. When this happens, it’s important to ensure your child’s permanent teeth develop properly. That’s where space maintainers come in—they help guide adult teeth into place, helping to prevent future dental and orthodontic issues.
Why Would My Child Need a Tooth Extraction?
While baby teeth are meant to fall out naturally, some situations require early removal to protect your child’s oral health. Common reasons for extractions include:
- Severe tooth decay that cannot be treated with a filling or crown
- Infections or abscesses that could spread to other teeth
- Trauma or injury that damages a tooth beyond repair
- Impacted teeth that prevent adult teeth from growing correctly
If your child needs a tooth extraction, our gentle approach and kid-friendly techniques ensure a comfortable experience.
What Are Space Maintainers & Why Are They Needed?
When a baby tooth is lost too soon, the surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space, causing crowding or misalignment when permanent teeth begin to emerge. A space maintainer prevents this by holding the correct space open until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
Types of Space Maintainers
There are two main types of space maintainers, and we’ll recommend the best option for your child based on their needs.
Fixed (Semi-Permanent) Space Maintainers
These are cemented onto the teeth and remain in place until the adult tooth is ready to erupt. The most common type is the band and loop space maintainer, which consists of a small stainless steel loop that holds space open for the incoming tooth.
Removable Space Maintainers
These are made of acrylic (plastic) and can be taken out for cleaning. They are less commonly used because they require consistent wear to be effective.
What to Expect During the Space Maintainer Process
Initial Consultation & Impression
Dr. Christensen will assess your child’s needs and, if necessary, take impressions of their teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab, where a custom space maintainer is created to fit your child’s mouth perfectly.
Placement Appointment
Once the space maintainer is ready, we will carefully cement it into place, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. The process is quick and painless!
Monitoring & Removal
Your child will wear the space maintainer until their permanent tooth begins to emerge. During regular checkups, we’ll monitor progress and remove it at the right time to allow for proper tooth eruption.
Gentle & Kid-Friendly Extractions and Space Maintainers
We know that dental procedures can be stressful for children, which is why we provide a comforting, supportive environment to help them feel at ease. Whether your child needs a simple extraction or a space maintainer to keep their smile on track, our team is here to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.
So thankful to Dr. Christensen!
“So thankful to Dr. Christensen! He graciously took care of my daughter on a Saturday morning. His patience and fantastic demeanor made the visit pleasant and painless. Highly recommend!”
J.C.
We have been coming here since she was a baby and we have always had a positive experience.
“Dr. Christensen is an awesome dentist and all of the hygienists and assistants are very kind and patient with my 4 year old daughter. We have been coming here since she was a baby and we have always had a positive experience.”
B.F.
