Mini Dental Implants in Las Vegas

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Having teeth missing can create problems when eating and speaking and pose risks to your overall health. One of the options we offer at Vegas Dental Experts for replacing missing teeth is mini dental implants. Learn what mini implants are and how they can benefit you.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Mini dental implants function almost exactly like standard dental implants.

Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth, with the metal post serving as the tooth’s root and holding the crown in place. They provide stability, allowing you to eat and speak without fear. Dental implants can also prevent bone loss in the jaw. 

Your jawbone depends on your teeth’s roots for stimulation. When you lose a tooth, that stimulation is no longer there, opening the door for bone loss. Because the dental implant functions like your tooth, including the root, it can offer the stimulation the bone needs to stay healthy.

The biggest difference between standard and mini dental implants is their size. Mini dental implants use a one-piece screw smaller than 3 mm in diameter, while standard implants have two pieces, with a diameter ranging from 3.25 mm–5 mm.

The difference in size between these two options allows people who aren’t good candidates for standard implants to receive the benefits of implants. 

Mini dental implants can be suitable for people who have smaller mouths or are missing teeth in narrow areas of their jaws. However, you may not be an ideal candidate for this treatment if you:

• Grind your teeth
• Have poor oral hygiene 
• Have diabetes
• Receive chemotherapy
• Have been diagnosed with a bone or blood disease

Although mini dental implants don’t require as much bone density as standard implants, you’ll still need a certain amount of bone in your jaw to be considered a candidate. 

Mini implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all of your teeth, and they can also help secure your dentures. 

Benefits of Mini Implants

Mini dental implants are the latest and greatest in implant technology, and they’ve made tooth replacement more popular than ever. There are many reasons for this.

Mini implants require a less invasive surgical procedure than standard implants. That means a faster procedure and an easier and more rapid recovery time.

These kinds of dental implants are also more affordable. Their small size, coupled with the simple procedure required to put them in place, makes them a cost-friendly option, especially for those who have more than one tooth to replace. 

You also don’t need as much jawbone density to be eligible for mini dental implants. 

A substantial amount of bone is needed to support the implant with standard options, but that’s not the case with the mini versions. This makes them a great choice for people who have lost bone density due to injuries, tooth decay, or osteoporosis. 

What’s more, you can get the full benefits of mini dental implants with fewer dental appointments.

Traditional dental implants take much longer because we can’t install replacement teeth on standard implants until your gums and jaw heal. With mini dental implants, we can often implant the replacement tooth on the same day. 

Mini implants also don’t require bone grafts. Bone grafts can take a long time to heal, which can delay the process of getting replacement teeth. Mini implants save you both time and money by allowing you to skip this procedure.

As mentioned, mini dental implants don’t require a lot of bone density, and they work well for people with smaller jaws. Because these implants are smaller than standard ones, they’re easier and less painful to maintain, repair, and replace. 

Mini implants can be a more permanent option than turning to dentures or bridges, allowing you to put off going through another dental procedure for a few years. 

Preparing for Mini Implants

If you’re missing teeth and want to find out whether you’re a candidate for mini dental implants, start the process by reaching out to Vegas Dental Experts to schedule a free consultation. 

During your consultation, we’ll examine your jaws closely to evaluate their health and spot other potential issues. We’ll then take X-rays to make sure we’ve pinpointed the best place for the implant. 

While you’re in our office, we’ll ask you about your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking. If we think you’d be a good candidate for mini dental implants, we can help you prepare for the procedure by letting you know what to expect and answering any questions you may have.

We might recommend a course of antibiotics before we begin. Additionally, we ask that you don’t take blood thinners in the days leading up to your appointment. 

We’ll use topical anesthetics for this procedure, but we can also offer sedatives if you suffer from dental anxiety. It’s a good idea to have someone with you during the procedure so they can drive you home afterward. 

The Dental Implant Procedure

On the day of the procedure, we’ll use a pilot drill to open a small hole in your gum and insert the implant through it, then secure the implant using special tools. 

You may notice the implant protruding over the gum at first, but we’ll adjust it to ensure a proper fit. Once the implant is in place, we can add the new tooth using O-rings that snap into place. 

Because this is such a straightforward procedure, we won’t need to suture or stitch anything.

Recovery and Aftercare for Mini Implants

The recovery process for mini dental implants is much speedier than for standard implants. You’ll likely be able to return to your normal routine in a couple of days. You can use cold compresses to alleviate pain and inflammation in the affected area as you recover and take over-the-counter medications to take the edge off your discomfort. 

Avoid hard or sticky foods for the first few days after your procedure. It’s also a good idea to stick to liquids or soft, mushy foods to allow the area to recover more rapidly. 

Caring for mini implants is the same as caring for your natural teeth.

You’ll want to brush them at least twice a day and floss as you normally would. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, you can switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you’ll need a mouthguard to protect the implant. 

Provided you take good care of your mini dental implants, they can last a substantial amount of time before needing replacement. 

Schedule A Free Implant Consultation Today

If you have missing teeth and want to regain full use of your bite while preventing jawbone loss, mini dental implants can be a great option. They offer faster results and often cost less than standard implants while offering all the benefits of traditional options. 

Vegas Dental Experts in Las Vegas, NV, offers mini dental implants, along with a wide range of other dental procedures. We have over 40 years of experience in the field and use the best available tools and techniques. By offering free consultations, we can also allow you to get the help you need without straining your finances.

Contact Vegas Dental Experts today to learn more about our services.