Mini Implants: Pros and Cons of Mini Dental Implants

What Is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are made of titanium metal andare placed into the jawbone underneath a person’s gums and look like natural teeth. They are inserted into a patient’s gums when they are receiving replacement teeth.

Dental implants are used to replace a tooth’s natural root and are used to support artificial teeth. During the procedure, dental implants are placed into a patient’s jawbone. After the opening has healed—and over a course of various appointments—an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Unlike bridges, dental implants do not have to be anchored to other teeth.

A dental implant is a titanium screw which is fused with the jawbone, providing jawbone stability without causing damage to a person’s teeth. A replacement tooth is attached to the implants after the opening has healed, allowing patients to chew normally after the healing process is done.

The procedure involves placing the dental implant into a slit made in a patient’s gum tissue where the missing tooth is. An oral surgeon drills into the patient’s bone and the implant is screwed into the bone. The gum tissue is then closed off with stitches. Implants generally must stay in for four months before the artificial tooth can be placed.

Dental implants are a great option for people who have missing teeth or dentures. They are extremely easy to maintain with a good oral hygiene routine.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Mini dental implants are implants which are used in narrow openings inside of a patient’s mouth. They are alternatives to regular dental implants. Mini dental implants are typically used to replace smaller teeth.

Like regular dental implants, mini dental implants replace a tooth’s root and are used to restore lost teeth. They are smaller than traditional dental implants (mini dental implants are roughly half the size of regular dental implants).

Mini dental implants can also help patients who wear dentures by giving them a better, more stable fit. Mini dental implants can help secure a patient’s dentures so that they can go about their daily lives in comfort, making it more comfortable for them to eat and go about their daily routine. Mini dental implants can also be used to help hold dentures into place, making it easier for people who wear dentures to eat and speak.

Mini dental implants are typically used to restore the following types of teeth:

• Teeth in narrow areas of the mouth
• Front teeth
• Premolars
• Small teeth

What’s the Difference Between Mini Dental Implants and Traditional Dental Implants?

There are many differences between mini dental implants and traditional dental implants. Some of these differences include:

• Mini dental implants are cheaper
• Mini dental implants heal faster
• Traditional dental implants are much bigger than mini implants
• Mini dental implants do not require bone grafts
• Mini dental implant procedures are shorter than traditional implant procedures
• They can help support patients with dentures, helping to hold dentures securely in a patient’s mouth

The procedure of inserting a mini dental implant is much simpler than a traditional dental implant procedure and is minimally invasive. A mini dental implant is placed into a patient’s bone but does not touch the nerves. This means that the patient will experience little discomfort during the procedure and will recover quite easily with a shorter healing time.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Mini Dental Implants?

There are many advantages to choosing mini dental implants over traditional dental implants. Be sure to talk to your dentist or oral surgeon first to see what your best course of treatment is and what is best for your overall oral health.

Pros

• Cheaper than traditional implants
• Mini dental implants do not require bone grafting and surgery
• Faster recovery period
• Mini dental implants can be used to support removable dentures
• Mini implants can fit existing dentures, providing people who wear dentures more confidence, stability, and comfort
• Eliminates the need for surgery
• Mini dental implants can be easily cleaned
• Helps improve speech
• Makes it easier to chew and bite
• Reduces denture slipping and discomfort
• Eliminates the need for bonding agents or adhesives
• Reduces bad breath

Cons

• Due to the small size of mini dental implants, the procedure can cause stress on a patient’s jaw bone and result in a longer healing time due to a different distribution of weight
• Traditional implants offer solutions which are longer term than mini dental implants
• Traditional implants provide stronger chewing
• O-rings which fit around the balls of mini implants must be replaced when they become loose
• Not recommended for people who grind their teeth, as this can cause the implants to wear out

Contact Your Oral Health Professional Today

If you have dentures or missing teeth that need to be replaced, your dentist or oral health professional may recommend dental implants. If this is the case (and if you have smaller teeth which need to be replaced), you may want to consider mini dental implants.

There are many advantages to mini dental implants. Not only are they more cost effective, but they also do not require surgery. In addition, mini dental implants can help secure dentures, providing stability and comfort for patients who wear them.

Speak to your oral health professional today to see what your options are and to determine if mini dental implants are right for you. They will go over various forms of treatment and advise you what is best for you. You should also always be sure to follow a good oral hygiene routine which includes flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day. You should also schedule regular checkups with your dentist at least once every six months to ensure that your oral health is in good shape. Doing so can help ensure that your dentist spots any problems before they turn into major oral health issues down the road.

If you have any questions or concerns about traditional dental implants or mini dental implants or want to know more about them, contact an oral health professional today to get you on the right track.

Relate Posts to Read:
Dental Care Resources For Veterans