Space Maintainers help "hold space" for permanent teeth. Your child may need one if he or she loses a baby tooth prematurely before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a primary tooth is lost too early, adult teeth can erupt into the empty space instead of where they should be. When more adult teeth are ready to come into the mouth, there may not be enough room for them because of the lost space. To prevent this from happening, the Dentist may recommend a space maintainer to hold open the space left by the missing tooth.
The appliance being made for my child is a temporary appliance used to maintain proper tooth space or to provide better aesthetics or both.
Release
I understand that if my child does not have a periodic examination, problems may occur to the teeth to which the appliance attaches. For example, a band may become loose, which may cause tooth decay or other problems if left unattended. Certain foods (ie: gum, hard or sticky candies, taffy etc) can cause space maintainers to become dislodged. I agree not to hold Drs. Setzer, Cochran, Soares, Hubbard, and Staman responsible for any problems or additional treatment cost arising from such problems. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Drs. Setzer, Cochran, Soares, Hubbard, and Staman of any problems or concerns of which I become aware regarding the appliance or instructions for its use and that Drs. Setzer, Cochran, Soares, Hubbard, and Staman is not responsible for matters arising from any failure to keep the Doctors informed.
