Here’s what to expect after having a tooth pulled in Cortland and what you can do to help promote healing until you start to feel like yourself again.
Ask any dentist, and he or she will tell you that dental implants are the gold standard when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. However, even the best tooth-replacement option comes with challenges, especially if you are a child, teen, or young adult.
All factors should be taken into account before deciding on whether a dental implant or a dental bridge makes the most sense.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of dental implants for teens and young adults is that a dental implant should never be placed before the jaw has finished growing. If an implant were to be placed before this, it could interfere with healthy bone development, or worse, cause significant complications that lead to long-term damage. Short-term solutions like a removable denture or a fixed dental bridge are the best treatment option for replacing a missing tooth in a child or young teen.
When a patient loses a tooth before their jaw finishes growing, it causes a loss to the final critical architecture of the jaw. During a healthy jaw development, the teeth, muscles, tongue, and cheeks all combine to stimulate and regulate jaw growth. When one of these critical components is missing, specific steps may need to be taken to stimulate jaw growth. This process can look different for many patients, and treatment options often include orthodontics or myofunctional therapy to ensure proper stimulation.
It's commonly said that dental implants can last a patient a lifetime, but that can look different to someone in their early 20's compared to someone in their 60's. When a young adult gets a dental implant, the placement of the implant is critical. Additionally, any dental restorations must be appropriately maintained to ensure they last as long as possible. When properly taken care of, it isn't uncommon for dental implants to last for decades without requiring replacement.
Other mentionable benefits of dental implants for young adults include:
Dental bridges are often the best treatment option recommended to teens and young children. A dental bridge is a fixed oral appliance that attaches to the remaining healthy teeth surrounding a gap to create a bridge effect across space where a missing tooth is. In general, the two abutment teeth on opposite sides of a gap are shaved down to accommodate a dental bridge. A cap is then cemented into place over each tooth to create an anchor system with a bridge effect.
If you are searching for a solution to replacing a missing tooth for your child or teen, contact Elite Dental & Denture PC today to schedule a consultation appointment. We will help you assess the situation and answer any questions you may have about dental implants Vs. dental bridges for your young adult.
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