Dental implants have emerged as a viable, healthy and almost a permanent solution to tooth loss due to many reasons including injury and genetic misfortune. In certain cases, however, dental implants may not be a preferred solution particularly for patients with significant bone loss. There is also the matter of affordability as dental implants are costly. In both cases, mini implants can prove to be a viable alternative for dental restoration. Mini implants are also used as a method for steadying existing dentures that are not as well fitted as they once were.
Mini implants are actually a smaller version of the conventional full-sized dental implants. Specifically, a regular implant is between 4mm to 6mm in diameter while many mini implants are as small as 2mm in diameter. Just like dental implants, mini implants are also made from titanium, only they are toothpick thin posts used mostly to stabilize the lower denture for eliminating the discomfort caused by a moving denture.
The part that is implanted in the gum is the same titanium used in making dental implants. It is a single unit with a screw at one end and a knob at the other. The veneer, tooth or dentures are then made with a tiny hole that fits into the knob. People with dentures can have them retrofitted so that they can be placed comfortably on the posts of mini implants. An O-ring attached to mini implants does not permit slipping off while laughing or speaking. At the same time, it comes off easily with a little amount of force, which facilitates cleaning.
Mini implants enjoy some advantages over full-sized dental implants. The process takes only a few hours since the surgery is minimally invasive. Mini implants do not require sutures and recovery after surgery is quicker and the patient can eat the same day. Most importantly, mini implants may be the only solution for patients with excessive bone loss, a condition that restricts dental restoration with full-sized dental implants.
Mini implants are almost half the size of regular dental implants, the reason why they are affordable. Besides affordability, the smaller size of mini implants makes it easier for dentists to place them in tiny regions of the mouth. Actually, mini implants are now preferred over full-sized dental implants for single tooth replacements.
All good things have a flip side and so do mini implants. Mini implants have certain limitations and may not be a viable solution in certain cases. Since they are thin and small they are not a long term solution and metal fatigue may cause malfunction at times. Moreover, they cannot be used for non-removable dentures and are also not as stable as regular dental implants. Mini implants can be used only on the lower arch since they do not integrate well with the upper arch.
Despite the high cost, full dental implants are one of the best long-term solutions. Although a good alternative, mini implants are not replacements to natural teeth the same way as regular dental implants.