Space Maintainers

Even though many people get braces to close gaps in their smile, there are other situations where you might need to make the gap larger. After this is done, you might need something called a space maintainer. Zitterkopf | Gaworski Orthodontics & Falcon Orthodontics provide exceptional orthodontic treatment throughout Colorado Springs and Falcon.

Learn more about situations where you might need a space maintainer, and reach out to us to make an appointment.

Why Do You Need To Make the Gap Larger?

The biggest reason we might need to make a gap larger is to create space for a dental implant. If you are missing one or more teeth, we need to ensure we can fit an implant in there. Instead of closing the gap, we may decide to make the gap larger. That way, we can fit a dental implant in the space when the time is right. 

How Does a Space Maintainer Work?

There are a lot of people who associate braces with the teenage years. Indeed, that is the most common time for people that have braces. If you have braces as a teenager, they could be used to make the gap larger, creating room for a dental implant.

At the same time, a teenager might not be ready for a dental implant. It is important not to put a dental implant in place until the mouth is done growing. Therefore, if we cannot place a dental implant, we need to keep the space open until it is time to do so. That is where a space maintainer is helpful.

Just as braces exert pressure to move the teeth into a certain location, a space maintainer will exert pressure to keep the space open until it is time to add the implant. We will customize the space maintainer to meet your needs, and we will make sure you know how to take care of it. 

What Happens Next?

Once the space maintainer is in place, we will wait until the time is right to take the next step. In a lot of cases, this could mean installing a dental implant. We always customize our treatment plan to meet the needs of our patients, and we will explain exactly what has to happen next to complete the treatment process. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have.

Call Zitterkopf | Gaworski Orthodontics & Falcon Orthodontics Today To Make an Appointment

If you have questions about your space maintainer, we are here to answer them. Even though they may not be the most common oral appliances, there are situations where they can be beneficial. At Zitterkopf | Gaworski Orthodontics & Falcon Orthodontics, our goal is to provide comprehensive orthodontic care to everyone in Colorado Springs and Falcon. It would be our pleasure to help you as well. Contact us today at 719-596-2477 to schedule an appointment.