Dental Implants for Teenagers

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an excellent substitute for lost or missing teeth. Implants are secure and sturdy, and they appear, feel, and act like natural teeth.

Typically, any adult who is healthy enough to have standard dental work can have dental implant surgery. In comparison, teenagers may need to wait.

A dental implant is a man-made replacement for a missing natural tooth. Once your dentist inserts the implants into your jawbone, they fuse with your natural bone to produce a strong foundation for one or two false teeth, known as crowns.

Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants in Singapore

A connection or abutment is then placed on top of the implant to secure the crowns and preserve it.

Crowns are custom-made to fit your teeth and mouth. The goal is to support the false teeth without harming the remaining teeth in the mouth via grinding.

For more than 30 years, dental implants have been used safely.

They are unquestionably the strongest devices developed to support new teeth. A dental implant is also one of the most secure and dependable dental treatments.

Are Dental Implants Safe for Teens?

Teenagers typically cannot receive dental implants until they reach 18 years old. Some individuals may need to wait till 21. When a person has adult teeth, they may consider dental implants. Dental implants can only be performed on youths whose jaws have finished developing.

Natural teeth can migrate and shift positions in conjunction with natural growth and jaw development. However, implants do not. Implants have a fixed placement because they link to the jawbone to replace tooth roots.

By the age of 18-21, the jaw would have most likely finished growing, or at least reached a position where dental implants would not interfere with future growth.

Are There Alternatives to Dental Implants?

Missing teeth as a teenager can cause a substantial loss of self-esteem.

Missing teeth might increase a teenager's uneasiness and deter them from socializing. Even if your kid is too young for implants, there are other options for replacing a missing tooth until he or she is old enough for them.

1. Removable Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture is a popular choice for teenagers. It consists of a gum-colored plastic base with a false tooth attached that matches the type, shape, and jaw position of the missing tooth.

2. Bridge

Another popular choice is a bridge. The adult version necessitates permanent changes to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth in order to support the bridge. A "bonded" or "Maryland bridge" is used by teenagers. These dental materials are glued to the back of the false tooth, and the extended section is subsequently bonded to the back of the surrounding supporting teeth.

3. Orthodontics

Braces and clear aligners can be used to reposition your remaining teeth in specific directions, closing the gap left by your lost tooth. Both dentists and orthodontists can provide either form of treatment, however, dentists have a narrower scope than orthodontists.

• If your case is straightforward, a visit to your dentist to get braces is all you need.

• If your case is complicated, an orthodontist is trained to address any issues that your teeth may have.

• Even if specialists are more expensive, keep in mind that you are paying for their expertise and years of experience!