Mini Dental Implants
Mini Dental implants can offer great alternative for people who don’t feel comfortable (or are simply not able to receive) other kinds of implant treatments for missing teeth. Some people are adverse to having an invasive surgery (required for regular implant treatments), while some people do not have enough bone left in their jaw structures to receive them.
Dental Implant Basics
Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, dentures, or bridges. Dentures and bridges are replacement options in which false teeth rest on the surface of the gums, whereas with regular dental implants treatments, the implants are actually placed (via insertion) into the jaw itself, so that replacement teeth become fixed.
Initially a surgical procedure is performed by an oral surgeon or periodontist who inserts a small titanium post in the bone of the jaw, which then allows the bone to fuse around/with the abutment. This fusing can take up to 3-6 months. After the fusion has fully established, the implant is re-exposed in another procedure, and a post gets attached to the implant - which can then functions like a root for the prosthetic teeth.
Mini Implants
Mini implants are structured just like regular dental implants, however they are just smaller. Mini implants have two parts including a miniature post made of titanium with a ball shaped piece on the end of it, and a very small socket with a ring that is able to attach the post to the the tooth. Mini dental implants are roughly half the size of regular dental implants.
What Mini Implants Can Support
Mini implants actually function with many kinds of treatments, including fixed crowns, bridges, and dentures; and they are also considered well suited for securing lower arch and loose dentures in some cases.
Options
Regular implant treatments can take many months and require multiple dental appointments. There are certain dental implant treatments that can require subsequent visits, as well; for treatments such as bone-grafting , when more bone mass is needed to allow for the regular implant posts.
But some patients are not able to undergo invasive surgery , or aren’t up for repeated dental appointments. And some people have simply do not have enough bone mass left in their jawbones to receive the full-sized implants. For these scenarios, mini implants can be a helpful option. Mini implants can usually be installed in just one visit to the dentist. And, only local anesthesia (and no suturing) is needed. Patients are able to receive their new teeth in one day.
Care of Mini Implants
You can take care of your mini implants the same way that you take care of your natural teeth. Brush and floss at least twice a day using a high quality toothpaste. Use a soft toothbrush for best results.
Losing teeth can definitely be traumatic for some people , and can result in lack of confidence in normal things like smiling, speaking and eating, but mini dental implants will enable you to eat and speak normally again. Consult with your dentist to find out if they might be an ideal option.