Going to the dentist can be a pain in the teeth. And the gums. And the jaw. Were you expecting something else?
All kidding aside, there are a lot of operations and things that are done in a dentist’s office. All with goal of keeping your teeth, gums and jaw in good shape.
One of the more common procedures is when people get dental implants. Now, you’ve probably heard of dental implants before. But have you ever heard of mini dental implants?
If not, you’re in luck! Below we cover what mini dental implants are so you can impress your friends, family and co-workers with your implant knowledge!
What Are Mini Dental Implants?
Basically, mini dental implants are just another type of a regular tooth implant. And they are just as effective as their regular variants are.
But the difference is that they come with additional benefits when you compare them to regular dental implants.
First of all, they are suitable for people who just lost a tooth or a set of teeth. Much like regular dental implants right?
But what makes them better is that they are more suitable for people who do not have the right bone mass in their jaws to hold traditional dental implants.
Placing regular dental implants requires invasive surgery. However, not everyone can have surgeries. And one reason is that the bone mass in their jaws cannot support “regular” dental implants.
One common alternative for traditional implants is using dentures. Dentures definitely have their benefits. But they are not as permanent and realistic as implants are.
Which is why some people opt to go for mini dental implants. So, with that in mind, let’s talk about how they work to replace your missing tooth or set of teeth.
The Mini-Dental Implant Procedure
Having mini dental implants as an option is less invasive, does not involve bone grafts, and is not that painful.
Most of the time, they are used to replace incisors, premolars, or smaller teeth for people with smaller mouths.
Mini dental implants are put over the surface of the gums where they are placed into the bone. They are one solid piece with a diameter of three millimeters.
They are screwed directly to the patient’s jawbone. During the operation, a local anesthesia is used. Anesthesia is used to neutralize the pain during the operation.
Sutures are not needed during the course of implanting mini dental implants.
Another benefit of getting them is that it is a less time-consuming process.
With regular dental implants operations, it will often require at least two dental appointments. And it will take several months to complete the placement of the implants. Not only that, but additional visits may be required for bone-grafting.
But mini dental implant operations do not need all of that.
Mini Dental Implant Costs
Plus, have I mentioned that surgeries are always expensive? When it comes to regular dental implants, operations may cost somewhere from $1,500 to $6,000.
On the other hand, having doing with mini implants may only cost you between $500 and $1,500.
So those are some of the reasons why mini dental implants are much more convenient compared to traditional methods as well as dentures.
Are they the best option? It depends upon your situation. You’ll definitely want to discuss if they make sense for you when you visit your implant dentist.