Dental Implants For Children: Understanding The Basics Of Eligibility

If your child has had some dental problems that have led to missing teeth, you might be thinking that dental implants are the best way to solve the problem. However, despite the fact that you're looking for a permanent solution to your child's missing teeth, you may be surprised to find that their dentist tells you that implants are not yet an option. Here's what you need to know about dental implants and their viability for children and young teens.

The Basics Of Implants

Dental implants are a great solution when you're looking for a permanent fix for missing teeth. They are ideal for almost anyone because they rely on a titanium post, so there's very little risk of any kind of rejection from the implant. Provided that the gums and jawbone in the affected area are healthy, most patients are ideal candidates for dental implants. However, not everyone qualifies for these implants based on certain requirements.

The Requirements For Implants

Dental implants are an ideal option for many people. The assessment appointment to determine implant eligibility will include evaluating a few key factors. First, the dentist will take x-rays to assess the condition of the jawbone. The bone must be in good condition, solid, and healthy. If the bone has deteriorated or needs support, the dentist may suggest a bone graft to provide a solid anchor for the implant. The same applies to the gums. Gum tissue must be healthy and can also be grafted if necessary to create healthy tissue for the implant to be placed.

In addition, the dentist will evaluate the growth of the jawbone. In order for a dental implant to properly adhere to the bone and stay in place, the jawbone must be done growing. If the jawbone continues to grow after the implant is placed, the titanium post will shift, leading to a misplaced implant.

The Guidelines For Jawbone Growth

In most cases, the jawbone doesn't finish growing until around 18 years of age. However, there's no single indication of when the jawbone is fully grown. To confirm the growth, you need to have the jawbone X-rayed and evaluated in six-month intervals. When the scan shows no marked progression from the prior one, that's when the dentist will confirm that an implant is possible. Depending on the age of your child, this may mean multiple scans until the growth shows as complete.

Options For Children Who Are Ineligible For Implants

If your child is too young for dental implants and will be waiting quite some time for the jawbone to complete growth, you'll need to look into alternatives for filling the gap until an implant is possible. You can opt for the same types of options that any adult could, such as a bridge, a removable partial denture, or any other type of temporary denture.

Your child's dentist can give you some advice about which solution would be best for your child based on their activity levels, their lifestyle, and the location of the tooth that's missing. It's best to work closely with the dentist to make sure that the solution is effective, even if it is only temporary.

Understanding the fundamentals of dental implants will help you to understand why your child is or is not eligible for an implant at this stage of their life. The more you understand, the easier it is for you to find a solution for the missing tooth, even if it is a temporary one for until the jawbone is completely grown. No matter why your child is losing teeth, you need to find a solution that will protect the integrity of the jawbone and the remaining teeth.

]Talk to your child's dentist today for more information on dental implants.