My son needs to have a tooth removed.  I can hardly afford this procedure and my dentist is wanting to have a space maintainer put in as well. That is an additional expense. Tell me honestly, is it really necessary?

Hannah D. – North Dakotta

Hannah,

Children are the joy of our lives, but they sure cost a lot of money.  Fortunately, they’re worth it. We have to remember we cost our parents a lot of money as well. That being said, I do understand how difficult it can be to afford everything they need. You don’t want to spend any additional money if it is not absolutely necessary.

In this case, however, your pediatric dentist is right. The expense is a necessary one. If you don’t have a space mainainer placed, the adjacent teeth will shift. When his adult teeth begin to come in, it will lead to crowding.  If you think a space maintainer is an additional expense, you should see how much braces cost.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.