TITLE:
Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants in Pubescent Patients—A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Wendy C. W. Wang, Loana Tovar Suinaga, Klenise S. Paranhos, Sang-Choon Cho
KEYWORDS:
Dental Implants, Pubescent, Social-Psychological, Bullying
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.5 No.3,
August
27,
2015
ABSTRACT: Tooth loss due to traumatic dental injury or congenital absence can cause
functional and social- psychological consequences in youth. Pubescent children
with missing teeth are often targets for school bullying. The treatment
modality chosen can impact their well-being during their formative years.
Despite the high success rate in adult patients, implant placement in young
patients is not common due to its ankylosed nature and concerns with possible
infra-occlusion in the future. However, skeletal growth and remodeling is a
continuous process throughout life and postponement of dental implant placement
does not necessary prevent future complication or need for replacement. Dental
implant placement should be considered as a viable treatment option for pubescent
patients if all other conventional alternatives fail to alleviate patients’
concerns both functionally and psychologically. This case report evaluates the
considerations required to place dental implants in pubescent patients, as well
as its advantages and disadvantages.