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Would you like to know about dental implants and teen oral health? Then take care to read today’s blog post. Here, Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist, discusses how some teenagers may qualify for a dental implants.

Can Teenagers Receive Dental Implants?

When an older patient endures tooth loss, they often turn to dental implants to serves as their tooth replacement method. After all, implants provide the most security and longevity over any other tooth loss solution. However, dental implants can replace virtually any patient’s missing teeth. In fact, patients who have endured dental trauma frequently choose dental implants to restore their smile’s uniformity and functionality.

Oftentimes, due to sports-related injuries, teenagers choose implantation surgery to recover their knocked out teeth. While implants have been deemed unsuitable for children, by the age of 17, boys’ finish the jaw growth stage of development; for girls, the age is 15.

Qualifications the Patient Must Meet

Just like any other implant patient, teens must meet certain criteria to allow them to qualify for this tooth replacement. During the comprehensive dental exam, your Mansfield, TX dentist checks the patient to ensure their mouths can withstand an implant procedure. These points include:

  • Adequate bone mass. While most teens won’t have an issue with this, the dentist checks just for good measure. Without sufficient jaw bone mass, the implant won’t fuse with bone and the surgery would prove unsuccessful.
  • Sound oral health. Teens with poor oral health habits must repair those issues first before proceeding with the surgery. For example, if the presence of tooth decay or gum disease is found, the patient must undergo the proper treatment to eliminate the dental ailment. Once their mouths have recovered, the implant process can continue.

Mansfield Dental Associates Can Complete Implantation Procedures

If your teen is need of dental implants and you would like more information about the procedure, talk to Dr. Jones. He can provide a detailed description of the procedure and explain proper aftercare protocol. To schedule an appointment with our Mansfield, TX dental practice at (817) 259-1357. Also, visit our website for services, patient information, and to read more about our team. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.