Minimum Age or Age Restriction for Dental Implants
Dental implants are becoming an increasingly popular solution for the replacement of missing or damaged teeth. Each year in the US, an estimated 500,000 adults receive dental implants. Parents are sometimes curious if implants can be used as a solution for their children who may be missing a tooth as a result of an injury or accident. The following article will review age requirements for dental implants candidates.
Dental implants work by replacing both the root and tooth of the missing teeth. In most cases, the “root” of the implant is made from titanium material and surgically placed directly into the jawbone. This allows the implant to act as a secure base for the prosthetic tooth. When patients opt to receive traditional dentures, they are often bulky, restrictive, and uncomfortable. Implants aid in resolving many of these issues while providing patients with the appearance and function similar to their natural teeth. Implants also help prevent the resorption of the jawbone and shifting of the existing teeth. Other implant benefits include the following:
- Ability to chew and speak normally
- Cleaning and maintenance is similar to caring for the natural teeth
- Natural and attractive appearance
- Do not slip or fall out
- Stimulate the jawbone
Not all patients qualify to receive dental implants, including those who are still developing or are under 18 years old. Age alone, however, is not a factor which can be used to screen a patient for implants. Additional factors to consider include the patient’s oral health, general health, the number of missing teeth, where the missing teeth are located, and if the patient has adequate bone needed to support the implant.
Minimum Age for Implants
In order to qualify for implants, the patient must first reach skeletal maturity. This means their jawbone is completely developed. When implants are placed prior to the patient completing puberty and the jaw is still experiencing growth, they can interfere with the bone’s development. This can actually compromise the implant, result in complications, even cause the implant to fail. Complications from the premature placement of implants can include changes in the appearance, bite issues, bone loss, and gaps in the teeth.
While each patient’s development can vary, the jaw typically grows until the patient is around the age of 18-20. Some patients may be in their early 20’s prior to reaching complete skeletal maturity. Because of this, patients under the age of 18 should not be considered for implants unless the dentist has confirmed that their jawbone has fully developed. To verify this, the dentist can complete x-rays and other types of assessments.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), nearly half of all adults over the age of 65 are missing one or more teeth. Any patient who is missing teeth, regardless of their age, can benefit from dental implants. The health of a patient is evaluated before they can qualify to receive dental implants. However, there is no maximum age for being an excellent candidate to receive dental implants.
Other Tooth Replacement Options
Patients can unfortunately experience tooth loss at any age, including those who are quite young. While young patients may not qualify for implants, there are other solutions which can work well. In some cases, the alternative treatment may be a temporary solution until the patient is able to qualify for receiving an implant. Some of the most common alternative tooth replacement options include a removable denture or dental bridge.
Follow up with your dentist to discuss if you or your child qualify as a candidate for dental implants as a solution for replacing missing teeth.