Losing a tooth impacts not just your smile but your entire oral health too. A dental implant overcomes both issues: replacing the complete tooth, including the root, to blend durability with a life-like look.

For adolescents with a missing tooth, however, a dental implant may not be a suitable decision, at least until they've physically grown. 

Although their permanent teeth have generally all grown in by puberty, the jaws and facial structure continue to develop until early adulthood. 

An implant put too early might seem misplaced as the jaw completely grows.

The ideal strategy for adolescents is a temporary replacement until they're physically ready for an implant. 

There are two excellent options: a removable partial denture (RPD) or a permanently bonded bridge.

Removable Partial Denture (RPD)

An RPD is a common adult dental procedure that may also replace a missing tooth in a teenager. An RPD comprises a prosthetic (fake) tooth placed in a nylon or acrylic foundation that simulates gum tissue. 

RPD's metal clips are designed to fit snugly on neighboring teeth, enabling the device to be readily removed for cleaning or sleeping while remaining securely in place. We normally suggest an acrylic base for adolescents since it's simpler to alter if the RPD's fit gets slack.

Permanently Bonded Bridge 

A typical bridge employs crowns on each side of the replacement tooth to fuse over the natural teeth close to the open socket to secure it in place. 

Because this necessitates permanently modifying the support teeth, we propose a bonded bridge that doesn't.

This redesigned bridge employs wing-like strips of dental material on the back of the prosthetic tooth that protrudes outward. With the tooth in position, we glue the extending sections of these projections to the rear of the surrounding teeth, which holds the artificial tooth in place.

RPD vs. Permanently Bonded Bridge: Making the Right Choice 

Of the two solutions, the bonded bridge is more comfortable, buys the most time, and appears the most natural. Bite difficulties, teeth grinding, general gum health, or your child's degree of cleanliness and conscientiousness might potentially dismiss it as a feasible choice. However, it will be more expensive than an RPD.

Either alternative will successfully replace your child's lost tooth until it's time for a permanent repair. We'll help you assess all the elements to decide which is best for your circumstance. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS, and her team of dental assistants offer advanced teeth replacement procedures. For more information and scheduling appointments, call us at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.