I’m worried about doing something permanent too soon.
That’s a legit concern, especially with kids. Implants usually aren’t even an option until growth’s done—otherwise they can end up looking weird or getting buried as the jaw changes. Bridges can work, but they also mean messing with neighboring teeth, which isn’t ideal for a younger mouth. Have you talked much about just using a spacer and waiting it out? Sometimes that’s the safest bet till things settle down.
Have you talked much about just using a spacer and waiting it out?
Totally get the hesitation—permanent stuff feels scary, especially with kids. My nephew had to use a spacer for a while after losing a molar early, and honestly, it worked out fine. Gave everyone time to breathe before making any big decisions. Sometimes waiting really is the kindest option for a growing mouth.
I get where you're coming from about spacers and waiting, but in my case, waiting actually made things trickier down the line. I lost a molar as a teen and we went with the “let’s just wait” plan—ended up with my teeth shifting more than expected, and fixing that later was kind of a pain (and not cheap). Sometimes it’s worth just biting the bullet and doing something more permanent sooner, especially if you know you’ll need it eventually. Just my two cents, though... every mouth is different.