Mini Dental Implants

If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth, it’s necessary for you to have the tooth or teeth replaced as soon as possible for your overall oral health. Replacing the missing tooth or teeth will also have an excellent cosmetic benefit, as there will no longer be a gap where a tooth or multiple teeth are missing. One option for the replacement of missing teeth is dental implants.

Sadly, not all patients are good candidates for traditional dental implants. If you cannot have traditional dental implants, but you still want a strong alternative for securing replacement teeth in place, you should speak with your dentist about mini dental implants.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Mini dental implants are dental appliances that are placed in the jawbone of a patient to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike traditional implants that are around 4-5mm in diameter, mini dental implants are around 3mm or less. While they are smaller in diameter, they are also longer.

Why Would I Need a Mini Dental Implant?

Mini dental implants allow a patient to continue to bite and chew much like they did before their teeth were damaged or fell out. They are also a very secure replacement option. Mini dental implants do not shift the way that dentures do, and they do not require any sort of adhesive to keep them in place. Mini dental implants can also be made to look very similar to the natural tooth or teeth that they are replacing—allowing them to easily blend in with the surrounding teeth of a patient. This, in turn, allows the patient to smile without feeling self-conscious about their new teeth.

What If I Don’t Have the Tooth or Teeth Replaced?

A gap in between teeth can be a severe oral health concern, and can lead to major damage to the gums, jawbone and surrounding teeth. With a gap between teeth, healthy teeth may begin to shift. This may lead to the impacting of healthy teeth. Migrating teeth can also become more difficult to brush and floss—leading to decay and disease.

Don’t allow a missing tooth or teeth to cause further oral health issues. Replace the missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible.

The Mini Dental Implant Placement Process

The placement process for mini dental implants starts with a consultation with your dentist. They will take a look at your jawbone to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure. From there, they will provide anesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain during the placement process. Your dentist will then mark the areas in which the implants will be placed. When they are comfortable with the placement areas, they will drill into the jawbone to better place the implant. The rods will then be placed and screwed into place. Finally, the prosthetic will be placed.

Unlike with traditional dental implants, mini dental implants can be placed in as little as one visit! They are also often less expensive than traditional appliances.

Caring for Your Mini Dental Implant

In order to ensure the longevity of the mini dental implant, you’ll want to make sure to take proper care of your new appliance. This includes brushing, flossing and rinsing. It is also important to remember that, while the tooth or teeth are prosthetic, the gums are still healthy and natural. Proper oral healthcare will help to ensure that the gums don’t suffer from gum disease. It’s also important to continue to see your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and cleaning. This will allow them to take care of your healthy teeth, while also taking a look at the health of the mini dental implant or implants.

Contact Your Dentist

If you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, is severely decayed or has recently fallen out, contact your dentist as soon as possible. If they are able to, they will attempt to save the tooth or provide some sort of repair. If these options are not available, they will discuss replacement options with you.

Once your dentist looks at your jawbone and determines that you are a good candidate for mini dental implants, you can discuss costs, insurance coverage and any other questions that may come up before the placement procedure.

Don’t wait until your teeth begin to shift or other damage occurs to your teeth, gums and jawbone! Contact your dentist today for the replacement of your missing tooth or teeth.