What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Mini dental implants are smaller and thinner versions of conventional dental implants that are intended to replace missing or damaged teeth. Mini dental implants (MDIs) are made of titanium just like regular implants. These are specifically intended to act as tooth root replacements and come in the form of a screw featuring a ball shaped head and generally they have a length of only 2mm unlike conventional dental implants which range from 4mm to 5.75mm. These were originally conceived to work as denture retainers but their smaller dimensions have led to them being used as tooth replacements for areas where there is limited space for a regular dental implant.

Mini Dental Implant - an Alternative to Regular Implants
The shape of the mini dental implant enables it to be snapped into a connector incorporated into the abutment. An o-ring inside the connector holds the implant in place. The increasing success levels and the simplicity of the procedure have led to mini dental implants often being used instead of traditional implants. They are often used only when there is a need for replacing single tooth. Mini dental implants are an example of one of the more recent the advancements in dental technology. MDIs only require a one hour time frame to be placed with a fairly simple procedure requiring only mild anaesthesia. Depending on the particular situation, the patient is able to consume light food after an hour following the procedure.

Advantages of MDIs
The failure rate is generally low, but failures can occur due to wear and tear, osteoporosis. With MDIs this is less of an issue as they are easier to replace than conventional dental implants and also less expensive.

There are also lesser chances for deterioration of the gums and bone during the fixing of a mini dental implant. The reason for that is the physical narrowness of the mini implants. This enables their direct insertion through the gum tissue into the bone. Unlike traditional dental implants, MDIs generally do not require cutting or opening of the gum tissue, helping reduce pain or discomfort following the procedure.

MDIs - Helping You Get Back Your Smile
Dentures are made more comfortable and help serve the purpose well with the help of MDIs, enabling the individual to eat, drink, laugh and carry on with normal routine without the slightest discomfort. Mini dental implants can also serve as long-term solution, supporting the denture or implant or functioning as implants themselves.

From supporting structures for dentures to replacing conventional implants, mini dental implants truly live up to their name. Their tiny dimensions make them more convenient to place in constricting locations.