Mini Dental Implants

What are mini dental implants?

Mini dental implants are a smaller version of normal dental implants. They were originally designed to be used as a ‘holding’ implant before the normal, full sized implant is inserted.
Mini dental implants have since been found to be a good alternative in their own right to full sized implants. The FDA has granted formal consent to use mini dental implants as a long-term solution. Mini dental implants have been shown to be reliable, although there have been some concerns about their effectiveness. They have been used to good effect as a means of fixing loose lower dentures.

Why choose mini dental implants?
Mini dental implants are regularly used as a solution for people of advanced years as they are gentle to place and cause very little discomfort. They are also often chosen by patients who can’t afford the cost of or are unsuitable for full sized implants. For example, if a patient’s x-ray shows bone loss, then a bone graft may be required before a full sized implant is inserted. If this is not a good idea on the grounds of health or age, mini dental implants may be a good alternative.

How are mini dental implants fitted?
Mini dental implants are much easier and gentler to fit than full size implants. The dentist will administer a local anaesthetic and then drill a small hole or holes in the jawbone to create a space for the implant. Your denture will be will be fixed to the implant using a metal attachment which can be snapped on and off. The process usually doesn’t take more than one hour to complete.

How much do mini dental implants cost?
The cost of mini dental implants generally cost less than normal dental implants and are an inexpensive way to secure a denture. The final cost will depend on the number of mini implants being done and the complexity of the work required.

Tags: