Dental Implants In Adolescents: Timing And Growth Considerations - A Narrative Review

<p>​Dental implants are a predictable treatment modality in adults; however, their use in adolescents remains controversial due to ongoing craniofacial growth and alveolar bone remodeling. As implants behave like ankylosed structures, placement during growth may result in long‑term functional and esthetic complications. The aim of this study is to review existing literature on dental implant use in adolescents, focusing on growth considerations, timing of placement, bone characteristics, implant options, and clinical outcomes. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. English‑language articles published between 1980 and 2025, including original studies, reviews, case series, and consensus statements related to dental implants in adolescents, were included. Findings were qualitatively synthesized. The literature consistently indicates that chronological age alone is an unreliable determinant for implant placement. Most studies emphasize the importance of confirming skeletal maturity prior to definitive implant therapy. While implant survival rates in adolescents were generally acceptable, growth‑related complications—particularly infraocclusion and esthetic discrepancies—were frequently reported when implants were placed during active growth. Early implant placement was mainly described in selected high‑need cases such as ectodermal dysplasia, with the anterior mandible identified as the most favorable site. Definitive dental implant placement in adolescents should generally be deferred until completion of craniofacial growth. Careful growth assessment and a multidisciplinary approach are essential, and further long‑term prospective studies are required to establish standardized clinical guidelines. </p>