Missing teeth can affect anyone, children included. The difference between children and adults is that the latter are often more suitable candidates for dental implant surgery.
While some people may be too young for dental implants, a surgeon can still either prescribe a course of treatment or monitor the situation until you are ready for dental implants.
The Jawbone Must Be Able to Support Dental Implants
Dental implants are only suitable for patients who have a jawbone that is strong enough to support them. Children may not have a fully developed jawbone that can support dental implants. Typically, the bone structure is not fully formed until the late teen years. A woman’s jaw typically tends to stop growing around the age of 18, while the male jaw could keep growing until around 21.
Everything depends on your specific jaw structure. An oral surgeon would perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether you can support implants. Usually, most oral surgeons advise against implants altogether before age 18, but it may not hurt to consult with a doctor to learn more about a potential treatment plan. Depending on your personal situation, an oral surgeon could recommend a treatment plan, and implants may still not be out of the question.
An Oral Surgeon Should Still See a Child to Provide an Evaluation
A doctor should help a child carefully monitor the situation so they do not experience any jawbone loss before they are able to receive a dental implant. If the situation continues to deteriorate over time, one may never be a candidate for a dental implant. Thus, you should never ignore the situation until a child is old enough for an implant procedure.
An oral surgeon may refer you to an orthodontist for treatment in the meantime, or they could carefully monitor the patient on their own. For example, a child may be a candidate for a bridge on their teeth until they can receive an implant. This solution could help preserve a child’s appearance and self-confidence until the time when their jaw is strong enough to support an implant. Again, everything depends on the particular child involved and the structure of their mouth.
A Patient Must Be Able to Care for Their Implants
Even if a younger person can receive an implant, it is not guaranteed success. What is important is that you can take the steps necessary to maintain oral health after implant surgery. A dental implant can fail if you do not take care of it. The implant can loosen, potentially requiring you to have another procedure. If you cannot keep the implant site clean, you may not be ready for dental implants.
Contact a South Jersey Oral Surgeon at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Today for Your Dental Implant Needs
If you or your child is missing teeth and are in need of a new appearance, schedule a consultation with a South Jersey oral surgeon at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Even if it is not yet time for an implant, having an oral surgeon look at your mouth to determine interim steps and when you can have the procedure is helpful. Contact us online or call us today at 856-582-4222. We have offices in Washington Township, Haddonfield, and Woolwich Township, New Jersey, and help patients in South Jersey.