Pediatric Dentistry

Paediatric Dentures

Paediatric dentures may be considered after early tooth loss or congenital missing teeth to replace missing teeth. This page focuses on removable options; suitability, wear and follow-up follow the child’s dental development and examination findings.

What are paediatric dentures?

Paediatric dentures may be considered after early tooth loss or congenital missing teeth to replace missing teeth and support appearance and function. This page focuses on removable options; suitability, wear and follow-up are planned around the child’s dental development and examination findings. An adult Removable Dentures pathway is different because jaw growth and tooth eruption are still underway.

Not every missing primary tooth needs a denture. Suitability depends on which tooth is missing, how long it has been gone, how the teeth meet, the developing permanent tooth, hygiene and how well the child can cooperate—decided at examination.

How this differs in purpose from a space maintainer

A Space Maintainer is planned mainly to reduce drifting of neighbouring teeth and to keep space in the arch. A paediatric denture is planned mainly to replace the missing tooth and support appearance and function. Some removable designs can serve both purposes; which option fits is discussed after examination.

After a Primary Tooth Extraction, need depends on the tooth removed and on development. Depending on the site of the missing tooth, dental development and examination findings, monitoring, a space maintainer or a denture may be considered.

When it may be discussed

A removable denture may be one option after multiple missing teeth, a front-tooth gap after trauma, congenital absence, or missing teeth that make speaking or chewing harder. The plan is individual.

Growth, fit and follow-up

Jaw growth and erupting teeth can change how the denture sits. Regular review is needed; adjustment or a new appliance may be discussed when required. There is no single lifespan or replacement calendar for every child.

Speech and eating habits may change in the first days; parent support helps. Contact the team for a break, looseness, a sore spot, clear pain, or if the denture cannot be inserted or removed. Do not bend, cut, glue or force it at home—those changes are assessed in clinic.

Care at home

Clean the denture the way your clinician showed you. Wear and removal follow the schedule given for your child. Keep cleaning the remaining natural teeth as advised.

You can reach us via Contact. Department overview: Pediatric Dentistry.

Sources and verifiable information

Review the sources used to prepare this treatment information below. Links open the relevant publisher.

  1. AAPD — Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry (Latest Revision 2024)
  2. AAPD — Management of Dental Patients with Special Health Care Needs (Latest Revision 2021)
  3. Goswami M, Chauhan N. Prosthetic Management with Removable Partial Dentures in Pediatric Dental Care: Case Series. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2023;16(3):534–540
  4. King’s College Hospital NHS — How to look after your child’s removable appliance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a paediatric denture?

It may be considered after early tooth loss or congenital absence to replace missing teeth and support appearance and function. This page focuses on removable options; the plan follows dental development and examination findings.

Does every missing primary tooth need a denture?

No. Suitability is decided after examination from which tooth is missing, how the permanent tooth is developing and other findings. Not every missing primary tooth needs a denture.

Is a paediatric denture the same as a space maintainer?

Their main aims differ. A space maintainer mainly keeps space; a paediatric denture mainly replaces the missing tooth to support appearance and function. Some removable designs can serve both purposes; which fits is discussed at examination.

Is a denture fitted after every primary tooth extraction?

Not for every child. Depending on the site of the missing tooth, dental development and examination findings, monitoring, a space maintainer or a denture may be considered.

Will the denture need to change as the child grows?

Jaw growth and erupting teeth can change the fit. Reviews may lead to adjustment or a new appliance; there is no single replacement interval for everyone.

How can a paediatric denture help with speaking and chewing?

By replacing missing teeth it can be planned to support appearance, speech and chewing. Fit and use vary with the child’s situation; results are not the same for everyone.

How should we care for it at home, and when should we call?

Clean it as your clinician showed; follow the wear and removal schedule and keep cleaning the remaining natural teeth. Do not bend, cut, glue or force it at home. Contact the team for a break, looseness, a sore, clear pain, or if it cannot be inserted or removed.

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