What to Do When Your Child Is Missing a Tooth

You managed to keep calm at the soccer field and get your child and their tooth to the dentist. But what happens now that your child is missing a tooth? Isn’t picture day next week?! 

As your mind races at the thought of adjusting to your child’s new smile – you can rest assured, there are pediatric options for missing teeth. Whether your child loses a tooth in an accident or from tooth decay, at Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry, we can help restore your child’s smile.

Pediatric partials are custom-made prosthetic teeth designed for children with missing teeth. These durable, semi-permanent appliances replace two to four front teeth and act as a type of space maintainer, ensuring surrounding teeth do not shift as your child grows.

Pediatric partials are crafted with comfort, function, and oral health in mind, allowing children to eat, speak, and smile confidently. At Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry, our experienced team specializes in designing pediatric partials that blend seamlessly with your child’s natural teeth.

Fixed pediatric space maintainers are semi-permanent dental appliances cemented in place to hold space for permanent teeth that have not yet erupted. They are often used after a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to decay or injury.

Removable pediatric partials, or pedi-partials, are custom-made temporary appliances designed to replace missing baby teeth. They help maintain proper spacing, prevent teeth from shifting, and support normal speech and chewing. Typically made from acrylic—and sometimes metal—these partials are comfortable, easy to wear, and tailored to your child’s needs.

By using pediatric partials or space maintainers, your child can maintain a healthy, functional, and confident smile while waiting for their permanent teeth to emerge.

It’s uncommon for toddlers and young children to need partial dentures, but in certain cases, these devices can play an important role in protecting oral health and development.

A pediatric partial denture may be recommended if your child experiences:

• Congenitally missing or malformed teeth at birth

• Tooth loss from accidents or trauma

• Severe tooth decay

• Infections or gum inflammation that lead to early tooth loss

While not all children need partials, those who have lost their teeth way before permanent ones develop can significantly benefit from partials.

Helps restore your child’s smile and self-esteem.

Prevents neighboring teeth from shifting into empty spaces.

Encourages proper alignment of incoming adult teeth.

Helps your child speak clearly as they grow

Allows your child to bite, chew, and eat comfortably.

The process of creating a custom pediatric partial denture is simple and child-friendly:

1. After any necessary extractions, a gentle mold of your child’s teeth is taken in-office.

2. This mold is sent to a dental laboratory where the partial is crafted to look natural and fit comfortably.

3. Your child returns for a fitting appointment, where adjustments are made as needed.

4. Once the fit is secure, the partial idfss placed and will remain in place until the permanent teeth begin to erupt.

When the adult teeth are ready, your dentist will remove the pediatric partial and guide your child into the next stage of their dental development.

If your child is missing teeth or you’re worried about early tooth loss, don’t wait—our friendly team is here to help. At Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry, we provide gentle, expert care focused on your child’s comfort and long-term oral health.

Call us today or schedule your child’s appointment online and discover how pediatric partial dentures can restore function, protect developing teeth, and keep their smile healthy and confident.