Dental implants are an effective method of replacing missing teeth but dentists in Canada are uncertain about performing the procedure on young people.

In an article for Canada's Oral Health Journal, Dr Todd Welch has conveyed uncertainty in performing dental implants on teenagers due to the fact that facial and jaw development may not be complete.

However, Dr Welch acknowledged the loss of confidence a young person would feel after losing a tooth and suggested dentists across the world are faced with a dilemma.

Dental implant surgery has proven to be a hugely successful method of tooth repair in adults, he stated. The procedure includes the use of a fake root which is placed within the bone to give the appearance of a real tooth.

Dr Welch added: "This issue has been studied in giant literature and also proven in clinical practice."

"Sometimes, placing implants too early can be remedied by changing the crowns which attach to them."