Is My Son Too Young for an Implant?

Deborah asks:
My son is 15 1/2 yrs. old. and has congenital missing tooth #7. We were told by a specialist that he could do an implant at this time, but the orthodontist that we have dealt with for years is concerned about my son having a growth spurt. He feels we should wait until he is older and done growing before getting an implant. Can you make a recommendation without looking at my child?

Answered by: Dr. Carlos Boudet

West Palm Beach, FL

Hi Deborah:

Even without a growth spurt, your son still has years of continued skeletal growth ahead of him. His jaw may continue to grow to some degree until he is 20 to 25 years old.

The concern your orthodontist has (and I share his concern), is that if he gets a dental implant this early and growth continues, it will be like having an ankylosed tooth root in a cosmetic area of the mouth. The tissues and the teeth will change but the implant will stay the same, and possibly create an unesthetic smile.

A prudent dentist would place a temporary tooth as a space holder until his growth is finished, and then place the implant.

Good luck, and I hope this helps you.

Carlos Boudet, DDS, DICOI
http://www.boudetdds.com