By the age of three, most children have their full set of 20 primary teeth. The baby teeth generally begin to 'shed' by about age six. The first permanent teeth begin appear at the same time. Primary tooth is lost because of tooth decay. If that happens before the permanent tooth is fully developed and ready to emerge, the nearby theeth can tip or shift into the space formerly occupied by the decayed tooth. When the permanent tooth tries to grow in that place it might not have enough space resulting in the formation of a crooked tooth. Such kind of teeth are difficult to maintain and risks of decaying is higher and can also affect the appearance. Teeth that are out of shape are likely to wear down more quickly than the others.
To avoid such problems the space maintainer is used, this space maintainer holds open the space left by a lost primary tooth until the permanent teeth is ready to emerge. This device is generally fixed to the mouth. The dentist can remove this once the permanent tooth is developed. The space maintainer usually consists of a band or a temporary crown attached to the tooth on one side of the space.
As the permanent molars appear, your dentist also may recommend application of sealants on the chewing surfaces. Your child's can last a life time with thorough brushing and flossing regularly.
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