Adult growth, aging, and the single-tooth implant

Single-tooth implants are an increasingly popular method for replacing sing le teeth. While the effects of growth on implants in children have been wel l documented, the changes that occur in adults have not been studied with r espect to single-tooth implants. It has been assumed that adults are stable and do not change; however, research in the last few years has indicated t hat adults do change with aging, and adult growth does occur: The changes i n adults occur over decades rather than rapidly, as seen in children. Aging changes are readily apparent in the soft tissues of the face and create dr amatic changes. Changes in the jaws and teeth occur as a result of continue d, slow growth, in contrast to the aging effects seen in soft tissues. Grow th changes occur in the arches and result in adaptive changes in the teeth over time, both vertically and horizontally, and in alignment. These dental changes may result in a lack of occlusion vertically or malposition of adj acent natural teeth relative to the implant crown. Clinicians may be well a dvised to observe and report these changes and warn patients that changes c an occur over the service life of the implant-supported crown. These change s may require maintenance adjustments or possible remaking of the implant c rown as a result of adult growth, wear, or the esthetic changes of aging.