Dental Implants for Children in North Finchley: An Expert Guide

An implant is a titanium screw placed in the jawbone that fuses with bone to form a fixed root for a tooth. A child's jaw is still growing through the teens. In a growing jaw, an implant acts like an anchor. As bones and teeth move, the implant stays in its original position. This can cause the implant to appear submerged and misalign neighboring teeth, creating aesthetic and functional problems. For this reason dentists generally wait until skeletal growth is complete before considering implants. The success rate for adult implants is high, typically over 95 percent, but this relies on a stable, fully developed jaw.

For a visible missing tooth, a lightweight removable partial denture is often the best temporary solution. It features a false tooth attached to a gum coloured plastic base that fills the gap. This restores your child's smile and confidence, helps with eating, and prevents neighbouring teeth from drifting into the space. A 12-year-old patient from North Finchley lost a front tooth in a rugby accident. We made a simple partial denture for him to wear, helping him feel confident at school while we plan for a permanent implant when he turns 18.

If a baby tooth is lost prematurely or a back adult tooth is missing, a space maintainer is essential. This custom made appliance, either fixed or removable, holds the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt correctly or to reserve the gap for a future implant. It is a simple but vital preventive measure that avoids complex and costly orthodontic treatment later on. This is a common and effective solution we provide for children across North London.

For older teenagers whose jaw growth is nearly complete, a resin-bonded bridge can be a good medium term option. This involves a false tooth with wings that are bonded to the back of the adjacent healthy teeth. It is less invasive than a traditional bridge as it does not require grinding down healthy teeth, which we always aim to avoid. This can bridge the gap for several years until the patient is ready for a final implant.

Once your child reaches skeletal maturity, typically between 18 and 21, we can begin the dental implant process. The first step is a 60 minute consultation at our Finchley practice, including a 3D CBCT scan to confirm jawbone density and development. The implant placement itself is a 60 to 90 minute procedure done under local anaesthetic. This is followed by a healing period of 3 to 6 months as the implant integrates with the jawbone. Finally, a 45 minute appointment is scheduled to fit the permanent, custom made crown. For an 18 year old from Barnet whom we had monitored for years, this process provided a seamless transition from a space maintainer to a permanent, natural looking tooth.

To choose what suits your child, ask questions whether you consult with us or another practice in the North Finchley area. Inquire about the pros and cons of each temporary option, such as a denture versus a bridge. Ask how the chosen solution will be monitored as your child grows and what the long term plan is. Understand the full treatment timeline, from the temporary option now to the permanent implant in the future, including all expected costs. Finally, ask what signs indicate your child's jaw has stopped growing and is ready for an implant.

As a private practice, we provide transparent costs for all treatments. A permanent dental implant for a young adult starts from £2,500, which covers the surgical placement and the implant itself, but not the final crown. The cost of temporary solutions for children is significantly lower and varies by type; for example, a space maintainer or simple denture is typically a few hundred pounds. We will provide a detailed, personalised treatment plan with a full breakdown of costs during your consultation. We accept private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact us to discuss your coverage.