Tooth loss is a common problem throughout the United States. While it most often occurs in older individuals, anyone is susceptible. The good news is there are numerous tooth replacement options to restore smiles. While they are preferred by dentists because of their many benefits, can teenagers get dental implants if they are missing teeth? Continue reading to find out from your implant dentist in Garland.
Is there an Age Requirement for Dental Implants?
There isn’t a minimum age limit for getting dental implants because everyone grows at a different rate. Some people are ready for dental implants as early as age 17 or 18, while others may need to wait until age 21. Oftentimes, teens are not good candidates for dental implants simply because they are still growing and developing, and this can interfere with the process to potentially cause issues in the future.
If a dental implant is placed before the jawbone is fully formed, it can end up falling out. Since the procedure for placing dental implants is quite complex, many dentists and oral surgeons prefer to wait until the bones are fully developed. This way, the bone will harden to be prepared for supporting a dental implant.
Do Teenagers Have Other Options for Tooth Replacement?
Just because a teenager isn’t quite ready for dental implants doesn’t mean they need to walk around with gaps in their smile due to tooth loss. There are several tooth replacement options that can suffice until they have reached an age where dental implants are a more suitable option:
- Partial Denture: A partial denture can include anywhere from one to several prosthetic teeth on either a plastic base or metal framework. It has clasps that fit around the existing teeth for support and should be removed and cleaned each time you brush your teeth. For some patients, partial dentures are a great low-cost or temporary alternative to a bridge or implant.
- Dental Bridge: One of the simplest solutions for tooth loss is also one of the most reliable. With a dental bridge, two dental crowns are placed on the teeth on either side of the missing ones, and they are used to support prosthetic teeth that fill in the gap. They can be made to be fixed or removable based on a patient’s preferences, and your dentist can even provide an implant-retained bridge to offer the best appearance and fit available today.
So, can teenagers get dental implants? If you’re a teenager or a parent of a teen who is missing teeth, dental implants may not be the solution yet, but there are other options out there to help! Schedule a consultation with your dentist in Garland to determine if implants are currently ideal for you.
About the Practice
At North Garland Family Dental, our team has been working hard for the oral health of local patients for decades and we hope to get the opportunity to take care of your smile, as well. We can provide both general and specialty dental services at our location. If you or a teenager in your family is interested in dental implants, we can complete the entire treatment at our office location, and we have a former master dental lab technician on staff. During a consultation, we can evaluate if implants are right for your smile and discuss payment options. Schedule one on our website or by calling (972) 530-7979.
