Implants in children and adolescents

The use of dental implants for the rehabilitation of edentulous sites in adult human dental arches is unprecedented for several years. The placement of dental implants in the growing individuals differs significantly from the implants placed in the adult patients. While planning for the dental implants in adult patients, consideration is given mainly to bone quality and quantity, potential for function and esthetics. In children, however, in addition to these, growth is an additional factor which needs to be considered. A wide variety of changes occur in the dentition and jaws of the growing patient. The impact that a bone-supported prosthesis might have on facial growth or conversely, how growth might influence the longevity and esthetics of the implant is uncertain. Because they are rigid fixations, any incorrect placement can have serious consequences on the growth and development of the arches, trauma to the developing tooth buds or a deviation of the path of an erupting tooth. Therefore, clinicians should have an understanding of the potential risks involved in placing implant in jaws that are still growing and developing and consider their effect on craniofacial growth.