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Osseointegrated implants in adolescents. An alternative in replacing missing teeth?
B Thilander1, J Odman, K Gröndahl
1Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
European Journal of Orthodontics
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Dental implants in adolescents show no fixture loss over 3 years. Careful consideration of skeletal maturation is crucial to prevent infra-occlusion and marginal bone loss around dental implants.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Surgery
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Dental implants are a viable option for replacing missing teeth in adolescents.
- Congenital absence or trauma can lead to tooth loss requiring prosthetic rehabilitation.
- Adolescent patients present unique challenges for dental implant placement due to ongoing growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term success of Brånemark implants in adolescents.
- To identify factors influencing implant outcomes in a growing patient population.
- To establish guidelines for optimal implant placement timing in young patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 15 adolescents received 27 Brånemark implants.
- Patients were followed for at least 3 years with annual biometric and radiographic assessments.
- Data collected included fixture stability, bone support, and crown occlusion.
Main Results:
- No implant fixture losses were recorded in the study cohort.
- Minor loss of bone support around implants was observed.
- Some adjacent teeth exhibited marginal bone loss.
- Infra-occlusion of implant restorations occurred in patients with residual craniofacial growth.
Conclusions:
- Dental implant treatment in adolescents can achieve high success rates without fixture loss.
- Skeletal and dental maturation, rather than chronological age, are critical determinants for successful implant restoration.
- Adequate mesio-distal space is essential to prevent marginal bone loss in adjacent teeth.