Can My Child Get a Dental Implant for a Missing Tooth?
Adults often turn to dental implants to replace missing teeth. In modern dentistry, dental implants are the closest alternative to natural teeth. So if your child has lost a tooth to injury or tooth decay, you might wonder if dental implants are a viable replacement option.
Children and young teenagers differ from adults in their bone development. This is why dental implants are not compatible with children.
Dental implants are not suitable for developing jaws
The average human jawbone continues to develop until the age of 16 in females and 18 in males. After this age, jawbone development usually stops. After the jawbone stops growing, dental procedures like jawbone surgery and dental implants become possible.
If a dentist were to place a dental implant into the jawbone of a child that is still developing, the implant would then begin to impede the natural growth of the jawbone. This is because dental implants can't move with a developing jawbone as natural teeth can. Natural teeth have periodontal ligaments, which respond to jawbone development, whereas dental implants do not.
If your child's jawbone is still developing, they will need to wait before getting dental implants.
You have access to several alternatives to dental implants
Since dental implant placement isn't possible until the jawbone stops developing, you need to consider choosing an alternative treatment for your child. Fortunately, you can choose an alternative treatment for a missing tooth and then replace that treatment with a dental implant later.
Partial denture
Although dentures don't have a very good reputation in terms of the way they look and feel, modern dentures have come a long way from the dentures of old. A partial denture with one false tooth is a good short-term solution for teens who are almost ready for a dental implant.
Dental bridge
For children that still have several years to wait before they can get a dental implant, a dental bridge is ideal. There are several types of dental bridges to choose from, so make sure you choose well.
Braces
Did you know that a dentist can fit a false tooth into braces to fill in a gap during orthodontic treatment? This is ideal if your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment right now. Additionally, a dentist can even place a dental implant while your child is in braces if they reach the required age during orthodontic treatment.
Space maintainer
Space maintainers are best for younger children who still have an adult tooth that has yet to come through where a missing tooth is. The space maintainer will save the space until the adult tooth comes through later. In this case, a dental implant won't be necessary.
For more information or for assistance, turn to a dental office such as Cruz Davis Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
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