My daughter is congenitally missing a tooth. My dentist said, at 14 she is too young for dental implants. She suggested I get a Maryland Bridge instead. Befor I do that, I wanted to get a second opinion. Is my dentist right. Can she get a dental implant?
Jennie M. – Pennsylvania
Jennie,
I’m going to agree AND disagree with your dentist. First, your daughter is too young for dental implants, at this time. She’ll be able to get them after her jaw is fully developed.
However, I disagree with her suggestion that you get a Maryland Bridge instead. One of the reasons dental impalnts are preferred over a bridge to begin with is to protect the adjacent teeth that don’t need to be messed with. Now, if you were to tell me that her adjacent teeth were already in need of a crown, then I might suggest a bridge.
There is another option for your sweet daughter. I know how important their image is to them at this particular stage in life. So, she’ll want that tooth replaced. If you get a partial flipper, she could have a tooth in that spot without damaging the adjacent, healthy teeth.
I hope this helps you with your decision.
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