Requirements For A Pediatric Dental Implant
Posted on: 28 June 2019
If your child has lost or knocked out one of their permanent teeth, then you should speak with your dentist about getting either a temporary or permanent replacement. When it comes to permanent options, dental implants may be a good option. However, there are a few different requirements that your child may need to meet in order to have an implant. Keep reading to learn a little bit about these requirements.
Mature Jaw
Typically, dental professionals will not recommend a dental implant in a child unless they are old enough. In other words, all of the permanent teeth should have emerged already and the jaw should be relatively stable. The age range to receive an implant often begins between about 15 and 17 years old. You can expect the dentist to look at your child's jaw and teeth to see if they have completed their growth and development.
An implant that is implanted too early can stop the growth process, resulting in a weakened jaw that may not be as dense as it should be. Also, the implant can stop the teeth from moving or shifting around. While this may sound like a good thing, it can actually lead to the compaction of the wisdom teeth or even of the first or second molars.
Keep in mind that growth patterns are different for males and females. Make sure that your child's specific maturity is looked at when deciding whether or not dental implants are a good choice.
Straight Teeth
Most children have an overcrowding issue where there is simply not enough room for all of the teeth to remain in the jaw in a straight position. If a tooth is knocked out, this may simply just add space so the teeth can be shifted around a bit. However, the same tooth on the opposite side of the mouth would most likely need to be pulled out too. So you will need to speak with a dental professional about this.
If, however, your child has already had their teeth straightened when the avulsion occurred, then the tooth can be replaced with an implant. A space saver may be inserted to make sure the opening does not close when the teeth start to shift. When your child is ready for the implant, the saver is removed and the implant is surgically inserted.
If you want to know more about implants and whether or not they are acceptable for your child, speak with a dental professional. Contact a company that offers dental implants in order to learn more.
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