Pediatric Dental Implants in Torrance, CA

Tooth Replacement Options for Children

For the most part, tooth loss in children is completely normal because they are losing their primary (baby) teeth to make room for their developing permanent teeth to emerge. Some children, however, are missing permanent teeth. A permanent tooth can be lost as a result of an injury or an illness. In some children, certain permanent teeth simply fail to develop and erupt, resulting in an empty space where a permanent tooth should be.  

For most adults who are missing one or more teeth, a dental implant is the best tooth-replacement option. In children, however, determining the right treatment plan for replacing a missing tooth is slightly more complicated because children are still growing and developing.  

Are Dental Implants Safe for Children?

Regular dental implants, like those that adults receive, are not recommended for younger children who are still growing and developing. These types of dental implants require the jawbone to be strong and stable, and the jawbone of a growing child is not strong or stable enough to support a traditional dental implant. For this reason, traditional implants are only recommended for children whose jawbones are fully developed and no longer growing.  

Every child's growth is on a different timeline. Whether or not a boy or girl is a candidate for a traditional dental implant will depend on his or her growth and development. For example, some girls might be able to receive a dental implant as young as age 16, and some boys as young as 17 or 18. Prior to receiving a traditional dental implant, a dentist must first ensure that the patient's jawbone has finished growing.  

Temporary Dental Implant ("Templant") for Children

What Is a Temporary Dental Implant and How Does It Differ From a Traditional Dental Implant?

"Templants" are a tooth-replacement treatment option for children who are still growing and developing. Temporary dental implants are smaller and less invasive than traditional dental implants. Compared to traditional implants, templants are smaller and less invasive. They are comprised of slighter, screw-like devices that are implanted into the jawbone but are not designed to osseointegrate with the bone. Instead, they are designed for eventual removal when a child has finished growing. Like traditional dental implants, a template is topped with a porcelain dental crown designed to look, feel, and work like a natural tooth.  

The Benefits of Temporary Dental Implants for Children

Temporary dental implants offer several benefits and advantages.  

• Templants stimulate the jawbone and encourage healthy growth and development.
• Templants feel just like a natural tooth.
• A temporary implant will blend in with the surrounding teeth and look just like a natural tooth.
• Temporary dental implants do not require special care, maintenance, or dental tools. While we sometimes recommend using a water flosser, children can continue their good oral hygiene habits, brushing and flossing twice a day.  
• Temporary dental implants are easy for a child to get used to. Your child will be able to speak and eat normally without a significant period of adjustment.  

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Treatment Options for Children

Despite the need to wait for a traditional dental implant, there are several tooth-replacement treatment options available for children of all ages and all stages of development.

Fixed Space Maintainer

A fixed space maintainer is the treatment option for children who have prematurely lost a primary tooth. Space maintainers prevent the neighboring teeth from shifting into the open space. A space maintainer preserves the right amount of space where a still-developing permanent tooth can eventually erupt once it has fully developed.  

Flipper

A flipper is a removable dental appliance that securely snaps onto the teeth with a system of wire brackets. They are designed to fill in tooth gaps, replacing one or two missing teeth.  

Partial Denture

A partial denture is similar to a flipper but can replace even more teeth.  

Which Tooth-Replacement Treatment Option Is Right for Your Child?

The treatment plan that is best for your child will largely depend on their stage of development, individual treatment needs, and your treatment preferences. Our dentist can talk with you about all of your child's treatment options and answer any questions you might have to help you determine the course of action that will best meet your child's needs and support a strong foundation of oral health.  

Comprehensive Pediatric Restorative Dentistry in Torrance, California

Our pediatric dentist in Torrance, California is proud to provide our patients with comprehensive restorative dentistry. We understand that missing a tooth at any stage of life can dramatically impact a person's quality of life. We work with each of our patients and their parents to determine the best course of action for replacing missing teeth - whether that be with a temporary dental implant, a permanent dental implant, or an alternative tooth-replacement option.  

To learn more about pediatric tooth-replacement treatments or to request an appointment for your child, we welcome you to contact our office today.

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