One of the biggest misconceptions about dental implants is that they are for the old. In reality, seniors constitute only a small portion of people with dental implants. On matters of age and dental implants, there is, however, such a thing as being too young to have these dental restorations. When it comes to the young, here is what dentists consider.

Bone Development Matters

Bone development in the mouth area comes with the teeth and jawbone shifting and moving. While a natural tooth can adjust just fine to these changes, dental implants cannot. The implant fuses directly to the jawbone, but because it cannot adapt to these shifts, what you will end up with is the restoration looking distinctively awkward or abnormal among the natural teeth. In most cases, the alignment is always a little off compared to the rest of the teeth.

Additionally, if the jawbone has not fully developed, then there may not be enough bone mass onto which the dental implants can fuse. This insufficiency will interfere with the process of osseointegration, which is one of the main causes of early dental implant failure.

At What Age?

Some people achieve full bone development by the time they are in their late teens or even sooner, and for others, this is not until they hit their twenties. It all varies from one person to the next, and that's why a dentist may not be able to give a definite age at which you may be considered a good candidate for dental implants.

That said, some dentists do have a set minimum age for their patients looking to get dental implants. Again, you can be sure there are variations in this age limit across different practices.

Temporary Alternatives

That your child may not be a good candidate for dental implants as yet is no reason to subject them to the difficulty in chewing and other problems that may accompany tooth loss. What you should do is get a temporary alternative, such as an artificial tooth held in place by aligners.

When your child comes of age and achieves the bone development required, then you can always go back and get the dental implants. The good news is that these dental restorations are extremely durable, lasting upwards of 25 years. It will be a long while before you need to worry about getting a replacement.

A thorough assessment is a must before getting implants. Age and bone development achieved go a long way in determining the suitability of a candidate for the implants. Reach out to a dentist to learn more about dental implant procedures. 

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