Minimum Age or Age Restriction for Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great way for patients to restore missing teeth and to improve their quality of life! Without replacing a missing tooth, the jawbone in that area can begin to deteriorate and lead to other teeth becoming loose and falling out. A dental implant is the more costly option in comparison to other dental restorations but can last a lifetime! There are a number of factors that will come into play when your dentist is determining if you are a candidate for dental implants which will include your oral health, your overall health, and your age.
Are there age restrictions for patients looking to get dental implants?
A child can be missing a tooth due to a congenital condition or an injury but they may not be a candidate for a dental implant. A patient has to have reached skeletal maturity and not be at risk of further growth spurts before they can be considered a candidate for dental implants. Implants placed in patients who have not completed puberty or before the jaw bone is fully developed can interfere with jaw development and the durability of the implant itself could be compromised.
In most people, the jaw bone is fully developed by the late teens or early adulthood so a patient younger than 18 is unlikely to be a candidate for a dental implant. Patients with an under-developed jaw bone can be at higher risk for bone loss around an implant which can cause changes in facial structure as well as spaces between the teeth and malocclusion. Your dentist will use x-rays to ensure proper development and structural integrity of the jaw bone in order to determine candidacy.
What alternatives are available to younger patients missing teeth?
At any age, tooth loss can pose challenges and other problems for the patient so even if the patient is a child, it is important to treat a missing tooth. A bridge or partial denture can be placed as a temporary solution while they continue to grow towards skeletal maturity. Some people do not reach full maturation until their early 20s but a bridge or removable partial denture can help keep other teeth from shifting in an effort to close the space of the missing tooth. Once the patient is ready for an implant, the bridge can be removed by their dentist immediately prior to implant placement surgery so they never have to be without a tooth! After surgery, they will wear an appliance with a fake tooth while their implant heals and integrates with their bone structure.
Dental implants placed on young adult patients have a great success rate since their strong and healthy bone structure helps reduce their risk of developing peri-implantitis. For any patient, dental implants have the ability to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.