Dental implants are a popular and successful way for patients to restore one or more missing teeth. Allowing a missing tooth to go untreated can lead to bone deterioration which can compromise surrounding healthy teeth, possibly causing them to become loose or fall out. Dental implants are a bit more costly in comparison to other tooth replacement options but dental implants can easily last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Some of the factors that your dentist will take into consideration include your overall health, your oral health including bone and gum structure, and your age.
Are there age restrictions for patients looking to get dental implants?
For younger patients missing a tooth, they are not likely to be a candidate for a dental implant. Children who have not yet reached skeletal maturity and two may experience additional growth spurts cannot successfully have an implant placed. Implants placed in patients who have not completed puberty or before the jaw bone is fully developed can interfere with jaw development and the durability of the implant itself could be compromised and cause further complications as the patient grows.
For most, the jaw bone is fully developed by the late teens or early adulthood so a patient younger than 18 is unlikely to be a candidate for a dental implant. Patients with an under-developed jaw can be at higher risk for bone loss around an implant which can cause changes in facial structure as well as spaces between the teeth and malocclusion (a bad bite). The dentist will use x-rays of the entire jaw to ensure proper development and structural integrity of the jaw bone in order to determine the patient’s candidacy for dental implants.
What are some alternatives available to younger patients?
Regardless of age, tooth loss can pose challenges and other problems so even if the patient is a child, it is important to treat a missing tooth. A bridge or partial denture can be placed as a temporary solution while they continue to grow towards full skeletal maturity. Some people do not reach full maturation until their early 20s but a bridge or removable partial denture can help keep other teeth from shifting in an effort to close the space of the missing tooth. Once the patient is physically mature and ready for an implant, the bridge can be removed by their dentist immediately prior to implant placement surgery so they never have to be without a tooth! After surgery, they will wear a different, temporary appliance with a fake tooth while their implant heals and integrates with their bone structure which can take up to six months.
If your child is missing a tooth due to a congenital condition or even an accident or trauma, speak with their dentist to see what options are available and together, you can decide the best path of treatment to ensure that your child has a beautiful smile!