Mini Dental Implants

Mini Dental Implants

Traditional implants are used to replace missing spaces in your smile and can be used to support prosthetics such as dentures and bridges. However, in some instances traditional dental implants may not be the most cost-effective treatment options. In cases where bone structure is too weak to support new implant placement, many patients have turned to mini dental implants.

What are Mini Dental Implants?

Similar to traditional implants, mini dental implants (MDIs) use medical grade titanium alloy to support restorations. Uniquely, MDIs use an o-ball shaped head rather than abutments to support the future restoration.

Like their name suggests, mini dental implants are smaller in diameter than traditional implants, making them ideal for placement specifically in vertical bone. Given their smaller size, MDIs are less likely to interfere with other anatomical structures within your mouth.

Why Consider Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are often considered a cost effective alternative to replace missing spaces in your smile. As the placement procedure is less invasive than traditional implants, MDIs often require less healing time. In some cases, healthy patients may be eligible to have their implants placed and covered with a prosthetic tooth in one day, minimizing risk to the patient and the number of visits.  

Other benefits include:

-          Stabilized restorations – for patients who feel as those their dentures are loose or ill fitting, utilizing mini dental implant to secure their prosthetic is a great way to restore functionality to their smile.

-          Support facial structures – like traditional implants, mini dental implants fully integrate with the bone in your jaw and support it, supporting existing structures of your face.

Drawbacks of Mini Dental Implants

While mini dental implants may offer a number of advantages, there are some disadvantages which may make them less than ideal for certain individuals. In particular, patients with severe bone deterioration may find that implants do not provide sufficient support for the eventual restorations. 

Additionally, if the posts are incorrectly placed within the bone, patients may not enjoy optimal recovery success, putting them at risk of developing peri-implantitis as well as overall implant failure. Lastly, lack of clinical experimentation has led many dentists to have reservations concerning the long-term use of mini dental implants in cases where regular dental implants would suffice.

Contact Our Northern Virginia Oral Surgeon Today and Learn More

For more information about dental implants and implant-supported restorations, visit Dr. Snehal Patel and his team today to discuss your implant options. We can help you find a solution that best supports your ongoing tooth replacement needs and helps you enjoy a fully restored smile.