Why Dentists Recommend Mini Implants

In the United States, 40 million people are missing all of their teeth. Missing teeth can cause difficulties in eating and speaking, lowering your quality of life and even affecting your self-confidence. If you have one or more teeth missing, many of the available solutions use mini dental implants. But what are mini implants, and what benefits do they offer?

What Are Mini Implants?

Mini dental implants are titanium posts that function like tooth roots and hold up a false tooth. They are much smaller than standard dental implants, which require the addition of an abutment, so they can be placed even in tight areas of your mouth. 

The best candidates for mini implants are people who:

• Are in good overall health
• Have some jawbone density
• Have no oral infections
• Want to prevent jawbone loss

Mini implants can be a good option for those who are missing a single tooth or many teeth, as well as those who need dentures but don’t want traditional removable ones. Implant-retained dentures attach securely to mini or standard dental implants. This provides more stability and increases your bite force.  

Benefits of Mini Implants

Mini implants are more affordable than standard dental implants. Not only are they smaller — usually about 3 millimeters in diameter — but they also do not require incisions or drilling a large hole into your jaw. All of these added steps in the standard procedure increase treatment time, so being able to skip them saves you money. 

In addition, mini implants are quicker to install. Usually, people need only one or two quick dental appointments. With standard implants, many people require a bone grafting procedure beforehand to ensure they have enough viable bone to support the implants. Bone grafting adds weeks to the process. 

Because mini implants are smaller, they do not require this extra step for patients who have at least some bone density left. 

The recovery process is quicker, too. There are no incisions that have to heal, allowing you to start eating normally very soon after the procedure. 

Mini dental implants do not require as much bone density as standard implants. If you have already experienced some jawbone loss from your missing teeth, mini dental implants can still be possible. 

Mini implants are durable. The titanium posts are expected to last for decades, and the false teeth can last for years if you take care of them. Unlike dentures, they do not require special solutions; instead, you brush and floss them like your natural teeth.  

Because mini implants attach to your gums, you have the full force of your bite behind each implant. Implants allow you to eat foods like steak and corn on the cob without worrying about dislodging anything or breaking dentures. 

Turn to Mini Implants

Mini implants can offer the chance to regain full use of your bite while saving you money and time. With mini implants, you can get replacement teeth that function and look like your natural teeth without needing as much space and bone density as you would with standard implants. 

If you have missing teeth, contact Dr. Harvey Chin at Vegas Dental Experts to learn more about the options he can offer.