Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are made from the same high-quality materials as conventional dental implants but have a considerably narrower diameter that is less than 3mm in diameter. In comparison, ordinary dental implants can have a diameter of up to 7mm.

Mini dental implants have a screw rather than a post that allows them to be screwed or inserted right through the gum and into the jawbone, so there is no need for an incision into the gum tissue and no need for stitches afterward. The length of the mini implant screw can be as much as 18 mm in length, and it’s this length that determines the strength of the implant. Because mini dental implants are smaller, they are sometimes called small diameter implants or narrow body implants.

Sometimes there is simply not enough room for a conventional diameter dental implant, for example, when restoring smaller lower incisors. Mini dental implants are frequently used to secure loose dentures.

• Mini implant dentures are an affordable solution for people struggling with conventional dentures.
• The surgical technique used to place mini implants is less invasive and can be more suitable for someone a little apprehensive about implant surgery.

One major reason for choosing mini dental implants is because they require less healthy bone. After natural teeth are removed, bone resorption is a common problem. Although bone grafting can build up missing bone, not everyone wishes or is suitable for bone grafting surgery.

While mini dental implants are an excellent treatment, the implant screw is typically quite long and must be inserted into the strong, good-quality vertical bone. The upper jaw doesn’t always have good bone quality, as bone density is typically lower.

Although mini dental implants can be an excellent solution for securing a loose lower denture, conventional dental implants can be a better option for securing an upper denture. Using mini implants for an upper denture would typically need between 10 and 12 mini implants, so conventional implants are more cost-effective.

Mini dental implants are fabricated as one piece, which helps to ensure the design is cost-effective. However, if anything goes wrong with the mini dental implants, the entire structure must be replaced. With a conventional dental implant that is made in two pieces, it’s usually only necessary to replace the abutment attached to the implant post and which supports the restoration, leaving the post untouched.

Just like any form of implant surgery, you will need a full consultation with one of our experienced implant dentists at Gentle Dental. We need to review your dental and medical history and so we can discuss this procedure with you properly. At this stage, we can also give you a good idea as to the time required to complete treatment and the estimated costs.

If you decide to proceed, we will need to conduct diagnostic tests, including digital dental x-rays and a cone beam CT scan, to assess your jawbone more fully. We use the data from these diagnostic tests while planning your treatment.

The planning process for mini dental implants is the same as for any dental implant placement.

• Our implant dentist assesses your digital dental x-rays and cone beam CT scan to determine the best location, depth, and angulation of each mini dental implant.
• The mini implants are situated in such a way as to best use of available bone, ensuring the implants can bond fully with the bone around them, providing good stability.
• We also consider the final prosthesis, making sure it will provide you with excellent aesthetics and functionality.
• Once we are happy with your treatment plan, we create a surgical stent that fits exactly over your gums during implant placement, guiding implant placement and ensuring we insert every implant at precisely the right location and angulation and depth.

Mini implant surgery is generally quicker and more comfortable compared with traditional dental implants because it is incision-free. Often, we can complete this procedure using just a local anesthetic, but if you feel at all anxious or nervous, please talk to us about additional sedation. We want to ensure you feel as comfortable and as relaxed as possible during your treatment.

Because the implants are inserted directly through your gums, treatment is minimally invasive, so healing is faster with fewer side effects. The entire surgery may take just a couple of hours.

Recovery is generally quite fast, with minimal discomfort and swelling. We provide precise instructions on how to care for your mouth after surgery, and we may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. You might need to use an antibacterial mouthwash while your mouth heals.