Hypodontia: Solutions for Congenitally Missing Teeth

Imagine never losing your baby teeth because the adult teeth underneath simply do not exist. Or growing up with noticeable gaps in your smile that no amount of waiting will fill. This is the reality for people with **Hypodontia**, a condition where one or more permanent teeth fail to develop.

It is more common than you think, affecting up to 5% of the population. While it is genetic, the impact on a teenager's confidence can be devastating. At Dental Implants London, we specialize in managing these complex cases, often working alongside orthodontists to prepare the perfect site for a future implant.

The Treatment Journey

The key challenge with young adults is growth. We cannot place an implant until the jaw has stopped growing (usually around age 18-21). However, we must manage the gap during the teenage years to prevent adjacent teeth from tipping into the space.

• **Phase 1 (Childhood/Teen):** Maintain the primary (baby) tooth as long as possible. If it falls out, use a space maintainer or denture.
• **Phase 2 (Adolescence):** Orthodontics (braces) to align the roots of adjacent teeth and create the correct amount of space for an implant.
• **Phase 3 (Adulthood):** Placement of the dental implant once growth is complete.

Why Implants are Better than Bridges

In the past, dentists would cut down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to fit a bridge. This is destructive and commits a young patient to a lifetime of bridge replacements.

Implants are superior because:

• They preserve the jawbone (which shrinks without a root).
• They do not damage adjacent healthy teeth.
• They look and emerge from the gum exactly like a natural tooth.

A Team Approach

Treating Hypodontia requires a multidisciplinary team. We often coordinate with your orthodontist to ensure the gap is the perfect size (typically 6-7mm for a lateral incisor). Once the braces come off, we place the implant and a temporary crown on the same day if possible, so you never have to wear a removable retainer again.

Expert Review

Dr. Reza Davari

Dentist with a Special Interest in Prosthodontics | GDC: 302422

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If your child has missing adult teeth, early planning is essential. Contact us to discuss a long-term management plan.