A Kid Friendly Dentist Discusses the Pros and Cons of Dental Flippers

Taking your child to a kid friendly dentist has many benefits. This professional has the knowledge and training you can feel good about to meet the specific needs of your son or daughter. The dentist examines your child’s teeth and gums to help promote good oral health. The dentist can also do important restorative work such as filling cavities and addressing trauma to teeth. For missing teeth, dental flippers are an option.

How children lose teeth prematurely

Though all baby teeth eventually fall out — usually by age 12 or 13 — parents do not want this to occur due to injury or dental problems. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a hard blow to the face to knock out a front tooth. Severe tooth decay can also make it impossible to salvage a molar. Older children may also lose permanent teeth in these same ways. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth loss or even bone loss.

Options to replace missing teeth in children

Often, if a child loses a baby tooth due to decay or trauma, the kid friendly dentist may suggest doing nothing and waiting for the permanent tooth to come in. However, if this is still a few years away, the dentist may decide to put in a temporary artificial tooth. Dental flippers are viable choices in this case. If an older child loses a permanent tooth, a bridge or implant might make more sense.

An overview of dental flippers

A flipper is a type of partial denture to replace one or more missing teeth. This is usually meant to be a temporary solution until a permanent tooth grows in. When the flipper replaces a permanent tooth, it may serve as a placeholder until the patient gets an implant. The flipper is lightweight and removable. This apparatus resembles a retainer, as it has clasps on the side that fit around the natural teeth. The appliance has a gum-colored acrylic base and the artificial tooth.

Why the kid friendly dentist might recommend flippers

Dental flippers fill in any gaps the patient may have. This gives the child a full smile once again, which can help the patient improve their self-esteem. The flippers restore the person’s ability to eat most foods. The process of getting this appliance is faster than other tooth-replacement methods. For parents, choosing dental flippers may make more sense than other alternatives. There is less of a financial commitment to choosing this treatment than others such as implants.

Enjoy a beautiful smile once again

Having missing teeth is normal for young children. However, if your child loses a tooth due to trauma well before the permanent tooth is ready to come in, it may make sense to have a temporary replacement. Talk to your child’s kid friendly dentist today about getting dental flippers. This apparatus can help your child have a full, pleasant smile without worrying about embarrassing spaces in the mouth. Make an appointment with the dentist today so you can discuss the next steps in this process.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

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