Teens tend to be quite image-conscious, so it is understandable if your adolescent son or daughter feels embarrassed by their missing teeth! Thankfully, modern dentistry offers some remarkable tooth replacement solutions, including dental implants. But are dental implants a suitable option for teenagers, or is it better to wait until adulthood? This blog post explains what you should know.
Dental Implants Are Not Usually for Teens
Dental implants are consistently successful because they are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they can serve as prosthetic tooth roots. Unfortunately, teenagers are not yet physically mature, meaning that their jawbone is not fully grown. Placing dental implants too early could lead to complications down the road.
For example, the changing shape of the bone might cause the implants to shift out of place. That could cause problems for the prosthetic teeth on top of the implants, and it might even cause the implants to fail altogether.
Because of these risks, most oral surgeons strongly prefer to wait until a patient’s jaws have fully developed before they move forward with dental implants.
What Is the Minimum Age for Dental Implants?
Children and teens grow at varying rates, so there is no universal rule about the minimum age for dental implants. Some older teens — at least 16 years of age — might qualify for this procedure, while others might not finish developing until their early 20s.
In general, girls reach physical maturity before boys, so they might qualify for dental implants a bit sooner. It is also worth noting that for most people, the upper jaw finishes growing before the lower jaw. Therefore, the location of your teen’s missing teeth can have a bearing on their candidacy for implants.
Of course, even if your teen is not quite ready for implants, you can still bring them to an oral surgeon for an initial consultation. The surgeon can let you know when your teen might be ready. They might also talk about preparatory procedures; for example, a bone graft might help to fortify the jaw at the future implant site.
Tooth Replacement Options for Teens
If your teen is too young for dental implants, they might benefit from another form of tooth replacement. For example, they might want to wear a partial denture for a few years; this removable prosthetic can improve the look of their smile and prevent nearby teeth from drifting out of place. A fixed bridge is another option, but it requires that the nearby teeth be filed down. This process is irreversible, so it is not ideal for teens who wish to get implants in the future. Your family’s general dentist can help you compare the pros and cons of such options.
Dental implants are not yet an option for most teens. However, with a bit of time and patience, it might not feel like long before your son or daughter once again has a complete and confident smile!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, and William Shepard are the highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Piney Point Dental Implant Center. They have many years of combined experience, and they are capable of handling even very complex dental implant cases. If you or your teen is interested in getting implants, our team would be pleased to speak with you during a consultation. Contact our Houston office at 713-597-7340.