Does your teenager enjoy playing sports? Do they struggle to brush, floss, and rinse daily? While tooth loss is more common in children with baby teeth, adolescents can also lose teeth because of athletics, decay, or even genetics. If you’re a parent, your first inclination is to help fill the gap, so they don’t experience low self-esteem or more serious dental issues. Are dental implants a good option? Learn why dentists don’t typically recommend this treatment and what alternatives are available.
Why Are Teenagers Not Candidates for Dental Implants?
Your child’s dentist isn’t trying to be mean or difficult. Dental implants are reserved for adults, not teenagers, for several reasons. One of the most important is that they are still growing. Placing one of these titanium rods into the bone will likely be unsuccessful. The implant can fall out because it lacks the support of a fully developed, dense jawbone.
Your teenager’s face and oral structure will change a lot, especially in the later stages of adolescence. The bone, tissues, and ligaments strengthen as they come together. This creates a stronger foundation to support their healthy teeth. Placing a dental implant will only complicate this process. Why? Because while everything else moves, it remains still.
What Alternatives Are Available for Teenagers with Missing Teeth?
Since dental implants aren’t an option, finding another solution matters even more. Their dentist can point you and your teenager in the right direction by recommending a few alternative options:
- Dental Bridge: A dental bridge closes the gap, so their smile looks complete. The dentist will use adjacent teeth to anchor the restoration, so your teen can continue to eat normally. They’ll also speak more confidently, which matters when surrounded by peers every day.
- Removable Partial Denture: A removable partial denture comes with a metal frame and artificial teeth and fills in the gap. One tooth or several can be replaced, and your teen will enjoy the comfort and security it provides. Adolescents may not be the target demographic for dentures, but rest assured, no one will ever know they’re wearing one.
If you and your teenager are still set on dental implants, remember that bridges and partial dentures are only temporary. Once they get older, they can revisit the idea of permanent prosthetics. In the meantime, if you have questions about replacing their missing tooth (or teeth), feel free to ask their dentist at an upcoming visit.
About Grand Dental – Sycamore
You will benefit from the expertise of our Grand Dental – Sycamore team. Led by a team of professionals who treat patients of all ages, we personalize each case so that results are one-of-a-kind. At our dental office in Downtown or Prairie View, we offer dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants to replace missing teeth, and our team will be happy to discuss the right option for you during a consultation. If it’s your teenager who is missing a tooth, visit our website to schedule an appointment.