What is a Placeholder
Dental health means much more than just maintaining order and aesthetics within the mouth. Healthy teeth and gums are one of the cornerstones of overall body health. Although many people limit dental care to aesthetic concerns, oral health; It is an important health indicator that can be effective in a wide range of areas, from the digestive system to the immune system, from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes.
The problems that arise when oral health is not paid enough attention are not limited to caries and gum diseases; This situation may also pave the way for the development of serious systemic diseases in the future. Maintaining oral and dental health, especially in children, is the basis of having a healthier oral structure in adulthood. At this point, the importance of dental devices called space maintainers comes into play.
They are special dental devices used to protect the jaw structure and tooth arrangement, especially when children experience tooth loss at an early age. In children, milk teeth may have to be extracted for various reasons before they fall out. However, primary teeth do not only serve chewing functions; It also serves as a guide for the permanent teeth coming from below. Early loss of these teeth can negatively affect jaw development and cause permanent teeth to emerge in the wrong position.
Importance of Placeholder
Milk teeth are of great importance for the development of the child’s speech skills, effective chewing function and healthy shaping of the jaw structure. However, early loss of primary teeth may be inevitable due to cavities, trauma, or other medical conditions. This can negatively affect not only the child’s oral health but also his overall development. Space maintainers come into play at this point and offer an effective solution to prevent the problems that can be caused by early tooth loss.
Preserving the jaw structure is one of the most important functions of placeholders; Because early tooth loss can cause the jaw bones to grow unevenly and deteriorate the jaw structure. In addition, sufficient space must be maintained for permanent teeth to emerge in the correct position and orderly. Space maintainers preserve this area and help the teeth emerge correctly, thus preventing future orthodontic problems such as crowding. In addition, early tooth loss can negatively affect the child’s speech abilities and chewing functions.
By supporting these functions, placeholders improve the child’s quality of daily life and make an important contribution to a healthy development process. To maintain both oral health and overall development, space maintainers are an indispensable tool for children experiencing early tooth loss.
When to Use Placeholders
Space maintainers are used as an important solution in cases of tooth loss in children or cases that require correct alignment of teeth. Space maintainers, which come into play especially in cases where primary teeth are lost earlier than expected due to caries, infection or trauma, play a vital role in protecting the jaw structure and tooth arrangement.
Additionally, in cases where permanent teeth do not erupt at the expected time, space maintainers are often preferred to preserve the gap and prevent other teeth from shifting into this area. They also help permanent teeth to settle correctly by providing temporary support in cases where the teeth are cross-positioned or there are alignment problems. In all these cases, space maintainers support children to have a healthy oral structure by protecting their oral health and preventing orthodontic problems that may occur in the future.
Placeholder Types
It is divided into two main groups: fixed and mobile:
– Still
- It consists of metal bands and wires.
- It is fitted and fixed by the dentist.
- It cannot be removed by the child.
- It is easy to use and durable.
–Energetic
- It has a removable structure.
- It offers more flexible use.
- The child must pay attention to oral hygiene.
How to Use a Placeholder
In order to use it effectively, some important points need to be taken into consideration. First of all, regular dentist checks should be carried out in order for it to work properly, because thanks to these checks, the functionality of the device is ensured and possible problems are detected early. Additionally, hygiene is of great importance; Care should be taken to clean movable retainers, and for fixed retainers, attention should be paid to tooth brushing and general oral hygiene.
The eating habits of children using placeholders should also be carefully monitored; It is especially recommended to avoid hard and sticky foods, as such foods may cause damage or dislodgement of the device. If the space maintainer breaks or becomes dislodged, a dentist should be consulted immediately, as malfunction of the appliance may lead to deterioration of the jaw structure and teeth alignment.
Benefits of Placeholders
It protects dental health in the long term by preventing many orthodontic and dental problems. Additionally, it can reduce the need for orthodontic treatment in children with premature loss of primary teeth and supports the child’s dental health. Thanks to these devices, the child’s oral health is protected while a more comfortable speaking and chewing function is provided.
Placeholder Prices
It may vary depending on the type of material used, treatment process and type of retainer. Prices also depend on the location of the dentist clinic where the procedure is performed, the level of expertise and the quality of services provided. They are generally divided into two main categories, fixed or mobile, and each type has its own advantages and maintenance requirements. Therefore, the cost of the treatment is directly proportional to determining the best solution suitable for the child’s tooth structure.
Additionally, possible additional procedures and controls during the treatment process may also have an impact on the price. For the most accurate information and pricing, it is recommended to have a detailed discussion with a dentist.
