Dental implants are artificial tooth roots fixed into the jawbone to support restorations, including dentures.
The latest addition to the conventional choices is the mini dental implant, which offers advantages for some patients undergoing implant treatment. These screws are shorter—they’re about half as long as full-length dental implants. They are implanted by qualified dentist in Port Melbourne using the same surgical techniques as the full-length implant but have some advantages over traditional dental implants.
What are Mini Dental Implant?
Mini dental implants are less visible than traditional ones, which improves aesthetics. If a mini implant was used to support a front denture, you wouldn’t see it when you smiled.
Their small size also makes them more comfortable, both while the implant is healing and while you’re wearing the denture.
But mini-implants can’t support as much weight as traditional ones. They are most appropriate for patients who need to replace just one or two missing teeth.
Mini dental implants are also called endosseous implants or short dental implants.
As with traditional dental implants, mini ones are usually made of titanium. The implant’s metal post is inserted into the jawbone and secured by a special screw-shaped head.
The screws are then covered with a protective cap that is removed before inserting the denture.
A patient who needs dental implants may consider all available options—mini or traditional implants, as well as conventional dentures. Each treatment option has advantages and disadvantages.
A consultation with a dentist, either before or after tooth loss, is an important first step. This is because the success of any restoration depends on properly caring for the underlying tooth roots and bone.
If a patient needs a new tooth, a dental implant may be the best choice. If an implant is going to be successful, it’s important that the patient follow the dentist’s instructions carefully.
Oral hygiene can be very difficult if implants aren’t cared for properly, which means remaining plaque-free and keeping the gums healthy.
Mini dental implants have benefits for some patients but may not be appropriate for many others. There also are several factors to consider when choosing from all available implant options.
When choosing between mini and traditional implants, some factors that you must consider include cost, placement method, waiting period required for healing, advantages over conventional dentures, the number of implants needed, jawbone density, chewing ability after treatment, speech changes with upper implants, tooth colour matching to existing teeth, and tooth length limitations.
Since there are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of implant, and for every patient, implants generally aren’t the first treatment option considered.
For many patients, dental implants may be prohibitively expensive, and insurance doesn’t always cover the costs. Moreover, conventional dentures may provide a good solution that is much less costly than implants.
For some patients, implants might be a second option after trying conventional dentures. If you need to replace more than one tooth, a good conventional solution may only require the teeth at the front of your mouth. Dental implants further back in your jaw could then support those front teeth and give them added strength.
Other candidates for implants may include patients who have lost several teeth and are having problems with conventional dentures, children whose baby teeth will fall out before their adult teeth emerge, or patients who can’t afford any other restoration.
Consult your dentist about any concerns or questions you have about this treatment option.