Of you lose a tooth, what would you do? Fortunately, your dentist can present you with several treatment options, including a bridge, dentures, or an implant. But, did you know that some patients aren’t a good choice for an implant simply because of their age? In fact, at some ages, a dental implant could actually cause problems with your smile.
To help you avoid complications like these—and to help you know what you might expect—we’re happy to discuss age considerations for people who are considering implants.
For example, what would you do if your child lost a tooth? Obviously, if the tooth is a primary, or baby, tooth, you can just wait for an adult tooth to emerge—though we recommend visiting a dentist in the meantime. But if your child loses a permanent tooth, an implant many not be an option. This is because their jawbones must be fully developed before an implant can be placed. This means that boys can usually have an implant when they are seventeen and that girls can at age fifteen. Fortunately, your dentist can provide options for replacing their missing teeth until their jawbone finishes developing. Also, even if your child doesn’t mind missing a tooth, it is important to take them to a dentist to prevent further complications.
Conversely, there is no age limit for getting dentures. Instead, a dentist will need to examine the health of your gums and to ensure that you have sufficient jaw support. In fact, any adult patient in good health—both overall and oral—can be a good candidate for a dental implant.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us soon if you would like to learn more about whether an implant would be a good choice for you or a loved one.