Losing a permanent tooth as a teenager can be devastating in more ways than one. As a parent, you’ll naturally want to help your teen fill in any gaps in their grin as soon as possible. When it comes to tooth replacement, dental implants are usually considered the gold standard – but are they really the best choice for your teenager’s smile? Here are the facts.
Are Dental Implants Recommended for Teenagers?
Generally speaking, teenagers are not considered good candidates for dental implant surgery. The problem lies in the fact that their jawbones are still growing. Having a dental implant placed too early could affect the jaw’s development, leading to a number of complications. Furthermore, the implant post is likely to fall out if it is inserted into the jaw before the bone has fully formed.
What is the Right Age for Dental Implants?
There is no universal answer to this question because people develop at different rates. Some individuals are eligible for implant surgery around the age of 17 while others might not be ready until the age of 21. Also, many boys can’t get dental implants until around the age of 18, but some girls might be able to have them placed around the age of 14.
Typically, dentists usually wait for their patients to reach the age of 16 before they recommend dental implants as a tooth replacement solution. It should be noted, though, that the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates. As such, some teens can have implants placed in their upper jaws even while their lower jaws are still developing.
What Other Tooth-Replacement Options are Available for Teenagers?
Even if your teenager can’t have dental implants placed, there are still other ways they can replace their missing teeth. In many cases, your dentist might recommend a removable partial denture. This type of restoration consists of an artificial tooth or teeth attached to a gum-colored base. The denture fits into the spaces in your teenager’s smile like a puzzle piece, and it is held in place with small metal clasps. It’s often a great temporary option for patients who might want dental implants in the future.
Another teen-friendly choice for tooth replacement is a dental bridge, which is made up of two dental crowns and at least one replacement tooth called a pontic. The crowns are anchored to natural teeth so that the pontic can fill in the gap. Unlike traditional partial dentures, bridges stay in the mouth at all times, which makes them easier to clean.
Your teenager deserves to have a beautiful, complete grin that will let them enjoy all their favorite foods and smile with confidence in front of their peers. If they have lost a tooth, you should immediately start taking the necessary steps to have it replaced – no matter if it’s with dental implants or another type of restoration.
About the Author
Dr. James K. Kramer has over 30 years of experience and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Temple University School of Dentistry. He has earned a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry and is also a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. At his Selbyville practice, he offers dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures as solutions for missing teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kramer for yourself or your teenager, visit his website or call (302) 436-5133.