If your teen has lost one of their permanent teeth, you might think that you can replace the lost tooth with a simple dental bridge. However, that might not be the case. In fact, your teen might be better served by having a dental implant inserted, instead. This is especially true if your teen has already gone through puberty, and has a fully-matured jaw bone. You might not realize this, but there are a variety of reasons why your teen should replace their missing tooth with a dental implant. Here are four of those reasons. 

Maintain Proper Tooth Position 

If your teenager is missing one of their permanent teeth, now's the time to talk to your dentist about a dental implant. You might think that the surrounding teeth will stay in place, but that's not the case. In fact, now that there's a gap, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift. Unfortunately, the shifting will lead to additional problems, including malocclusion, and additional tooth loss. To help maintain proper tooth position, your teen's missing tooth should be replaced with a dental implant. 

Avoid Issues With Self-Esteem

If your teen has lost one of their permanent teeth, and the gap is visible, you need to consider their self-esteem. Dental problems can undermine your teen's self-esteem and can make them self-conscious about their appearance. In fact, if the gap is visible, your teen may avoid smiling or even talking in public. Luckily, there's a way to protect your teen's self-esteem following tooth loss. Talk to your dentist about the benefits of a dental implant. Because dental implants look just like natural teeth, no one will know that your teen has lost one of their permanent teeth. 

Prevent Nutritional Deficiencies

If your teen is missing any of their permanent teeth, their nutrition might be at risk. You might not realize this, but your teen might not be able to chew properly, especially if they're missing a molar. Unfortunately, the inability to chew can lead to nutritional deficits. That's where dental implants come into the picture. With dental implants, your teen can chew their food properly, including crunchy fruits and vegetables. 

Ensure Strong Jaw Bones

If your teen is dealing with tooth loss, and you've decided against dental implants, there's a good chance that their jaw bone will be compromised. Once teeth are lost, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate and weaken. Unfortunately, bone loss can cause facial weakening and additional tooth loss. Not only that, but jaw bone loss can make it difficult for your teen to receive dental implants later in life. Protect your teen's bone health. Talk to their dentist about the benefits of dental implants.