Mini Implants

The mini implant is as the name says: it is smaller than the normal sized implant and were originally designed as a temporary measure. The idea was that these would be inserted as a temporary implant and then removed at a later date, replaced by the full sized implant.

However, they were found to be a useful type of implant in their own right. They tend to work best as a replacement for small teeth or incisors.

They are placed in the jawbone but because of their limited height do not fuse easily with the jaw bone (osseointegration). But, they do last a long time and tend to be used as a means of stabilising the lower denture, especially in older patients.

If a patient's x-ray shows bone loss then they normally require a bone graft before the implant is inserted. However, they may be reluctant to do so, either for reasons of age or health.

If this is the case then a mini dental implant may be an acceptable choice of implant. It is a solid although smaller form of implant and does not require the patient to undergo a bone graft beforehand.

The mini implant is comprised of a slim titanium rod that has a retaining fixture which can be incorporated into a denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball and the retaining attachment contains a rubber 'O-ring' that acts like a socket.

These are fast becoming a popular choice of implant for many patients who are uncomfortable with the thought of a full implant or are worried about the cost!

http://minidentalimplants.info/procedures.htm

Have Your Implants Placed in the Morning and Enjoy Your Favourite Meal That Same Evening.

Most procedures are accomplished in one visit
• We use a simple, gentle, non-surgical approach
• Eat, smile, and speak with renewed confidence
• Less than half the cost of conventional implants
• Anchoring for dentures, cemented crowns & bridges

MDI Surgery Procedures

What happens in an MDI surgery?

A single, minimally invasive surgery is needed for insertion of the Mini Dental Implants

The standard insertion protocol for mini dental implants calls for four of them to be gently screwed into the front of a patient's lower jaw. This is a relatively painless procedure that can be performed using mild anesthesia. The mini dental implants, which are approximately the size of wooden toothpicks, are placed about five millimeters apart in the patient's mandible. The patient's denture is then carefully adjusted by the dentist to allow it to snap onto the four mini implants.

The Mini Dental Implants are placed in about an hour's time. Because of the unique, minimally invasive procedure, the minute size of the implants, and the characteristic placement area, the typical Mini Dental Implant patient can enjoy a light meal an hour or so after having the mini implants placed. Furthermore, a denture patient who has had his or her prosthesis stabilized with MDI can remove and replace the denture easily after a little practice, and can easily utilize good dental hygiene.

Mini dental implants clearly represent an enormous breakthrough for the dental implant specialty as the most patient-friendly, cost-effective, proven dental implant system available today.

Benefits of Mini Dental Implants

1. Mini in Size
Mini Implants are about half the size of traditional implant, and therefore don’t require as much bone structure. With less bone needed, costly, painful and time-consuming bone grafts that are usually necessary with traditional implants are not usually needed for minis.

2. Less Expensive
In many cases, mini implants cost around half the cost of traditional or conventional implants.

3. Less Invasive
Because the mini implant requires only a small pilot hole to be placed, it is less traumatic to the bone and soft tissue; as compared to a conventional implant that usually involves extensive surgery and bone grafts.

4. Less Healing Time
Because placing the smaller diameter mini implant does not cause as much trauma to the bone and soft tissue in the mouth, your healing time is reduced from months to days.

5. Less Discomfort
Less trauma to the gums, bone, and underlying tissue means less discomfort. May patients need only over-the-counter pain medication for a day or so after the procedure.

6. Less Time
In many cases, the mini implant can be loaded immediately after placement. This means that most procedures, including anchoring dentures can be done in one visit.

7. Less Bone Loss
A mini dental implant preserves the bone so that you can preserve the shape of your face

8. Less Bone Required
Mini implants require less bone so you’re less likely to need additional costly bone grafts.

9. Less Decay/Periodontal Disease
Implants are made out of titanium—the same type of material that is used on artificial joints, and they are not subject to decay and periodontal disease.

10. Less Complications
Mini dental implant failures and complications are very rare.