Teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, but decay, disease, and trauma can result in tooth loss. While you might expect to lose a tooth or two over the years, you probably never thought your teen would lose one. Unfortunately, tooth loss can affect people of all ages, including teenagers. Thankfully, there are several methods to treat missing teeth, like dental implants. Although they are a great option for adults, can teenagers get dental implants? The answer might surprise you.
Dental Implants are Different
Traditional tooth replacement methods only recreate the crown, whereas a dental implant replicates the entire structure. A titanium post is placed into the jawbone to mimic the root. The bone will fuse to it through a process called osseointegration. Once the bone has integrated with the post, a custom-made restoration is attached using an abutment.
Together, the parts of a dental implant provide a nearly perfect replica of a real tooth to provide exceptional benefits that aren’t possible with over treatments. While they are the most reliable method of replacing a lost tooth, they aren’t right for teens.
Teenagers are Still Growing
Your teen’s face and oral structures are still growing, which means they can’t benefit from a dental implant just yet. During the late stages of development, the bones, tissues, and ligaments surrounding the teeth are still coming together and strengthening. Since a dental implant is stationary, it won’t adapt to the changes going on inside of your child’s mouth, which can lead to big problems down the road. Most dentists won’t recommend dental implants for teenagers if they haven’t finished growing.
Tooth Replacement Options for Teens
Only a dentist can determine if your teen is ready for dental implants. If they aren’t done growing, they’ll recommend other options in the meantime, which include:
Partial Denture
If your teen plans to replace their tooth with a dental implant later, a partial denture is a great solution. A prosthetic tooth is placed in a gum-colored base that has a metal framework. This allows it to clip or clasp onto their remaining teeth to stay in place. It will act as a placeholder that won’t harm or alter their adjacent teeth.
Bridge and Crowns
A prosthetic tooth can be created from an impression of your child’s mouth. It will replace the portion of the tooth above the gum line and is held in place using dental crowns bonded to the adjacent teeth.
Your dentist can fill the space using a customized solution to have the confidence they need.
About Dr. Brooke Buller
Dr. Buller earned her dental degree at the Ohio State University and has pursued continuing education in many specialties, like BOTOX, Invisalign, and dental implants. She has the training and qualifications to treat the most complex issues, like tooth loss. Contact our office today to request your consultation.