{"id":66,"date":"2022-05-24T20:20:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T20:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drdarrellsteele.com\/blog\/?p=66"},"modified":"2022-08-22T22:51:22","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:51:22","slug":"can-teenagers-get-dental-implants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drdarrellsteele.com\/blog\/can-teenagers-get-dental-implants","title":{"rendered":"Can Your Teenager Get Dental Implants?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Teenager<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Losing a tooth is always stressful, but it can be especially devastating for teenagers. A gap in their smile can severely hurt their self-esteem and make it more difficult for them to enjoy their favorite foods. As a parent, you\u2019ll naturally want your teenager to be able to enjoy a full smile again, which is why you might consider dental implants<\/a>. Unfortunately, when it comes to the question, \u201cCan teenagers get dental implants?\u201d, the answer is often no. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why are Teenagers Often Unable to Get Implants?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dental implants are made to be surgically placed into the jaw so that they can join with the bone. However, a teenager\u2019s jaw is still developing, and that can cause complications for implants. While the natural teeth will move around as the jaw grows, implants tend to remain stationary. As a result, the posts might prevent the teeth from reaching their intended positions. There\u2019s also a good chance that the implants will recede into the gums as the jaw develops, making them appear to be too short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Right Age for Dental Implants?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of the above issues, dental implants are only recommended for patients with fully grown jawbones. Everyone develops at a different rate, so some people might be eligible for implant surgery by age 17 while others might have to wait until age 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For boys, it takes longer for the jawbone to fully develop. That means that on average, girls might be able to get dental implants earlier. Nevertheless, most oral health experts prefer to wait until age 16 to consider dental implants for their patients. Note that the location of the missing tooth can make a difference, as the upper and lower jaws tend to grow at different speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Other Options Do Teenagers Have to Replace Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if your teenager isn\u2019t able to get dental implants, they don\u2019t have to be stuck with an incomplete grin. There are a couple of different options they can use to replace their teeth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n