The Different Types of Pediatric Partial Dentures

Tooth loss is one of dentistry’s most devastating dental problems, yet very common globally. While many treatment protocols are available for catering to adult tooth loss, few people are concerned with children’s tooth loss. Ideally, when children lose their teeth prematurely, they also have to deal with the consequences of tooth loss, including:

1. Dental misalignment
2. Difficulty eating properly
3. Bone loss due to jaw inactivity
4. Speech difficulties

What Are Pediatric Partial Dentures?

They are dentures for children. These dentures restore children’s smiles when they lose their baby teeth prematurely. When they do, it can take a while before permanent teeth begin to erupt. Therefore, to ensure that your child keeps chewing and speaking before permanent teeth erupt, pediatric dentists in Houston provide pediatric partial dentures.

How Do They Work?

Pediatric partials in Houston are not very different from partial dentures for adults. They replace a couple of missing teeth in a row. Usually, they provide an option for children to have teeth without undergoing invasive surgeries to get dental implants. Besides, dental implants are impractical for kids since their teeth will grow soon enough.

Pediatric partials near you feature acrylic materials held together by a metal framework. They come in different shapes and sizes, usually to match the structure of your child’s mouth. The pediatric dentist takes impressions of your child’s mouth to create a 3D mold that guides the creation of partial dentures. Within a few hours, the dentist can create dentures using fabricator technology. Therefore, most pediatric partial dentures are same-day restorations.

Different Types of Pediatric Partial Dentures

At Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry, partial dentures for kids can either be fixed or removable. Removable partials can be taken out and worn easily without the intervention of a dentist. Usually, we recommend these dentures for older kids because they do not need much help handling their oral health. Besides, the last thing you need is for your child to misplace or damage their partial dentures every two weeks.

Fixed partial dentures are affixed in the mouth. Usually, since children do not particularly get dental implants, the fixed dentures are bonded to existing teeth using a metal band.

Why Do Children Need Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are not only suitable for adults. For children, these dentures have the following benefits:

1. Restoring functionality – your child regains the ability to speak and chew properly.
2. Maintaining self-confidence – children need to start gaining self-confidence at an early age. Maintaining all their teeth is a great way to help them build self-esteem.
3. Preventing the rest of the teeth from shifting – it spaces your child’s various orthodontic problems in the future.
4. Serve as space maintainers – fixed dentures act as space maintainers for children. They save space in the mouth for the permanent teeth to erupt in their time. The presence of space maintainers during premature tooth loss may mean that your child will not need braces when they are older. The four main types of fixed space maintainers for kids are:

• a. Band and loop
• b. Lingual-holding arch
• c. Trans palatal arch
• d. Distal shoe appliance maintainer

What Causes Tooth Loss for Children?

Various factors can cause kids to lose one or multiple teeth, including:

1. Dental decay – due to poor oral hygiene and poor food choices.
2. Ectodermal Dysplasia and hypodontia
3. Facial or jaw trauma – falls, injuries, and congenital disabilities can all contribute to facial and jaw trauma.
4. Playground accidents – more so if your child does not wear mouth protectors.
5. Periodontal disease – is typical due to factors like poor oral hygiene, consuming sugary foods, diabetes, and other underlying health problems.

Can You Prevent Premature Tooth Loss?

Technically, all children must lose their natural teeth at one point. However, the teeth fall off as part of their growth and development. After losing baby teeth, it does not take too long before permanent teeth start erupting. However, premature tooth loss is discouraged in pediatric dentistry. Some ways to avoid it are:

1. Eat healthily – avoid sugary and starchy foods like chips, sodas, candies, and sugary pastries.
2. Wear a mouthguard when playing outdoors.
3. Maintain good oral hygiene – through daily tooth brushing and flossing.
4. Visit a dentist regularly for fluoride treatments and dental cleanings.