Mini Dental Implants
Dental implants are widely favored for durable and stable missing teeth restoration that lasts a lifetime. If you are missing one or more teeth, implants will provide you with the most comfortable teeth replacement treatment. The ability of dental implants to provide natural stimulation to the jawbone allows the preservation of the jawbone and gums.
However, dental implants are highly invasive, and many people are intimidated by the surgery itself and its risks. In such a case, another type of dental implant is far less invasive than traditional dental implants. They are known as mini dental implants.
What Are Mini Dental Implants?
Mini dental implants differ from traditional dental implants in a lot of ways. They are a good option for many people who want implants but cannot get full-size dental implants. However, mini dental implants are not the solution for every type of tooth replacement treatment.
Mini dental implants are smaller than full-size traditional dental implants. They are made up of a single piece rather than the traditional two-piece dental implant screws.
The mini dental implant screws are less than 3 mm in diameter and have a ball-shaped end at one side that protrudes from the gums.
Benefits of a Mini Dental Implant Over Traditional Dental Implant
The mini dental implant procedure is less invasive compared to traditional implants. Mini dental implants are placed into the jawbone using only localized anesthesia and don’t cause much pain and swelling afterward.
The mini implants are smaller in size, which is why the recovery and healing of the jawbone are much faster. These small implants do not require high jawbone density to support and hold them in place, so people with insufficient bone mass can get mini dental implants without a bone grafting procedure. The size of the mini dental implants does not require bone grafting, which lowers the cost of this type of implant procedure.
Mini dental implants are smaller in size and less invasive than full-size implants, which is why the jawbone and gums take less time to heal this way. Mini dental implants offer faster results than traditional dental implants. The mini implants are less painful than full-size implants, and sometimes they don’t even need drilled holes for their placement on the jawbone. It is possible that replacement teeth can be placed on the same day as the mini implant placement.
Other benefits of mini dental implants are that they can fit into smaller regions or narrow openings, thus eliminating the need for using full-size dental implants. The mini implants prevent facial collapse just like regular implants, as they maintain jawbone density and facial structure.
Disadvantages of Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are also sometimes referred to as temporary anchorage devices. This is because mini dental implants are a temporary replacement after tooth extraction and don’t last a very long time.
Mini dental implants are treated as immediate loading, meaning they can be applied quickly but must be removed after a few years.
Am I a Good Candidate for Mini Dental Implants?
Dental implants are not a suitable treatment option for many people, such as children whose jawbone is still developing. Those people who are unsuitable for full-size dental implants are also not fit for getting mini dental implants.
If you are suffering from a chronic systemic disease like diabetes, hemophilia, or conditions that interfere with bone growth and healing, then you are unfit for mini dental implants.
Mini dental implants are also not a suitable treatment option for those suffering from periodontitis or gingivitis. Lifestyle modifications that can affect oral health, such as smoking, taking certain medications, or receiving radiation therapy, can also interfere with bone healing.
People who have excellent oral health are the best candidates for mini implant procedures. Your dentist will determine the right type of dental implant and treatment procedure by performing an initial evaluation, oral checkup, and examining dental x-rays.
Procedure for Mini Dental Implants
The procedure for mini dental implants resembles the traditional implant procedure. However, this surgery is on a smaller scale and less invasive than full-size implant surgery.
The dentist will conduct an initial evaluation of your oral health and determine whether or not you are eligible to get mini dental implants. Afterward, the oral surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the specific area and drill a small hole into the jawbone.
The surgeon will place the mini dental implant inside the hole and then tighten the implant post. Afterward, a replacement tooth is attached on top of the metal post, and the patient is inquired about the comfort and ease of the new dental implant restoration.
Recovery and Care For Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants require similar care as full-size dental implants. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to ensure no food debris is deposited around the new replacement tooth. Visit your dentist regularly so that the built-up tartar and plaque are removed efficiently.
Recovery from mini dental implant surgery is quicker than traditional implant surgery, and patients can return to their regular eating habits within two days after the procedure.
The pain and soreness after a mini dental implant procedure are less than full-size dental implant surgery. Using ice to numb the sore area and over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil can effectively manage the pain.
Your dentist will recommend steering clear of hard and sticky food to minimize the risks of the implant pulling out or loosening.
If you experience any unusual symptoms like severe pain and numbness in the jaw, then immediately contact your dentist and inquire about the appropriate course of action.
Are Mini Dental Implants Right for You?
Mini dental implants require the same attention and care as regular dental implants. Your mini implants will stay intact if you maintain good oral health and proper hygiene practices like brushing and flossing.
Even though mini dental implants are usually a temporary solution, if you take care of them properly, they can last a long time without needing replacement or repairs.
Our dental professionals at Palani Center for Dental Implants ensure that their patients understand the proper meaning and differences of full size and mini dental implants. Call us at 213-725-2086 if you want to schedule an appointment or have questions regarding the proper treatment approach for your missing or damaged teeth.
