- by Dr. Ravneet Dhillon
- June 24, 2022
What are Mini Dental Implants
A permanent solution to replace one or more missing teeth, Dental Implants have now become a popular choice for those who have experienced tooth loss.
But there are constraints to the option as traditional implants are not a successful option for those who do not have enough bone mass in the jaw to support the implant.
However, there may also be some who do not wish to opt for the option as they want to avoid the painful surgery.
Mini dental implants are relatively newer types of implants that are smaller in size but have a similar structure and look like basic dental implants.
Generally about half the size of a traditional dental implant, they don’t require the same proportion of jaw bone mass as traditional dental implants.
They are also much easier and much less painful to install with a quick and less invasive procedure that can be done in one appointment.
A smaller than 3 mm, 1-piece screw is used in the procedure while the screws of traditional dental implants are made of 2 pieces and have a diameter between 3.25 and 5 mm.
There are two parts of a Mini Dental Implant:
- A titanium post that sports a ball on the end
- A socket with an O-ring to attach the tooth to the post, which is embedded in the jaw.
What are the Benefits of Mini Dental Implants?
Mini dental implants have several benefits with the major being their ability to replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth or to support dentures.
These other benefits of mini dental implants include:
- The surgery is less invasive
- Recovery is quicker
- Lower cost
- Can be done with a lesser jawbone density
- Bone grafting is not needed
- Quick results
- Can fit into smaller areas of the mouth
- Less painful surgery
- More durable option than bridges or dentures
- Can prevent facial collapse
- An optimal alternative to denture adhesives is as they can help to stabilize the dentures.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Mini Implants?
Mini Implants are ideally suggested to the patients in whom the bone resorption has taken place or there is not enough jawbone mass to support a traditional implant.
The procedure is also relatively quick and painless as compared to traditional dental implants.
Mini Dental Implants are a good option for people who are not fit to get traditional dental implants.
However, they are not an ideal option for everyone, for instance, children or anyone whose mouth is not fully developed. In such cases, the implant can become encompassed by the bone later as it grows.
The people who grind their teeth are also not ideal candidates for these implants. People with health issues like diabetes, vascular disease, hemophilia or any other clotting issue are not recommended for this option.
Moreover, this may not be an ideal option for those with bone disease, periodontitis or gum disease or any other issues that can impact wound or bone healing
Besides the above-mentioned factors, dentists do not recommend mini dental implants for those who
- smoke
- have poor oral hygiene
- take any sort of anticoagulant medications
- are on any treatment or medication that hinders bone healing
Even though mini implants do not need as much jawbone density as is needed for traditional implants, still a certain amount of bone density is required to place these too.
So they might not also work for those who have severe tooth decay and bone loss or those who have recessed or damaged gums.
Also Read: Benefits of Full Mouth Dental Restoration
What is the Procedure for Mini Dental Implants?
The insertion of Mini Dental Implants is done by the following procedure:
- The dentist takes a few X-rays to ascertain where the implants need to be placed, precisely.
- Once the X-rays have been taken, a local anesthetic is used to numb the gums and jaw.
- Making incisions into the gums, a small hole is drilled in the jaw to uncover the jawbone.
- The gums are stitched and closed around the implants, after placing a small metal dental impact post in the hole. However, a small part is left open above the gums.
- After affixing the temporary replacement tooth to the post, the dentist makes sure that it is appropriately positioned and secured.
Drilling of holes may not be needed for the mini implants where the threads of the screw may grab onto the bone.
The process of creating permanent teeth begins after the patient has fully recovered from the surgery.
New teeth are designed and fabricated with the help of the impressions that are taken from the mouth. These teeth are fitted on the titanium post with the help of O-rings that allow them to be firmly clamped into place.
Recovery
The recovery from the mini implant surgery is generally fast and easy.
However one must-
- Avoid hard or sticky foods initially
- Stick to soft foods like ice cream, soups, custards and smoothies.
The post-procedure pain of Mini Dental Implants is minimal as compared to a conventional dental implant process.
You can easily resume your routine the next day itself. A follow-up appointment may also not be needed in many cases.
Though the pain and discomfort experienced following the procedure are minimal, they can be easily taken care of by icing or over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, call us immediately if you experience any unexpected symptoms like:
- Unbearable pain
- Pain that lingers for more than a few days
- Implanted that is loose or falls out
- Numbness of the jaw
How or Take Care of Mini Implants?
Mini Dental implants should be looked after the same way as natural teeth. Brushing and flossing daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, regular dental checkups and cleanings go a long way in maintaining the health and life of the mini dental implants.
A good regular oral hygiene routine can go a long way in protecting both the mini implants as well as your natural teeth, which can otherwise wear or decay
If taken care of properly, mini dental implants, like other implants, can be a permanent treatment for tooth loss, lasting several years or even life before requiring any rehabilitation, repairs or replacement.
Conclusion
A long-lasting solution for tooth loss mini dental implants provide you with the comfort of minimal surgical intervention.
The feasibility of your being an ideal candidate for Mini Implants depends on several factors and can be ascertained by the dentist only after a thorough checkup by our expert team at Morgan Hill Dentistry.
However, one must also keep in mind that the health, effectiveness and longevity of mini dental implants may also vary from one person to another and is also dependent on the level of oral hygiene, dental cleanings and the care of the implants.
Our team of specialists has been effectively transforming smiles through Mini Dental implants. For minimally invasive tooth restoration options, contact our expert team.
