Mini dental implants: what are they?
Mini dental implants have been getting quite popular thanks to their lower cost. But what are they exactly and are they a good alternative to traditional implants? Essentially, mini dental implants are short and narrow metal posts that are placed in your jawbone. Their main perk in the eyes of many patients is that they are often presented as a low-cost alternative to regular implant procedures, despite not providing equivalent results. For example, they break or fall out much more frequently than the traditional option.
At Temecula Center for Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants, we tend to advise our patients against mini dental implants as we believe they aren’t as beneficial as their traditional counterparts. We base this on the vast expertise and experience of Doctor Dmitry Tsvetov, DDS, MD, a board-certified implant specialist serving Temecula and the rest of Riverside County. You can schedule a free consultation with him today and get the information you need to make an informed decision.
How mini dental implants work
The main difference between mini dental implants and traditional implants is that the former are narrower: about 2-3 millimeters in width versus 3 millimeters or more for the traditional option. As for the procedure, it involves placing the implant into a narrow bone and typically avoids bone grafting.
However, you should keep in mind that mini dental implants are essentially a mechanical solution that attaches to the bone. By not fusing with the bone, they can compromise the bone’s health and decrease the long-term stability and other benefits offered by regular implants.
The disadvantages of mini dental implants
There are a number of drawbacks to getting mini implants, mainly because of their small proportions and mechanical nature. These include:
- A greater number of mini dental implants are often required to provide the same denture support (4 to 6 versus 2 regular).
- The placement of a mini implant is usually more posterior, i.e. farther back of the jaw, which can result in a greater risk of nerve damage.
- Since they rely solely on mechanical forces in order to hold onto your bone, these implants tend to be less stable. By contrast, the traditional option fuses to the bone, i.e. osseointegrates, offering a long-term stable foundation.
- A mini dental implant can break or fracture below your jawbone. This can be a serious health risk to the adjacent bone and tissue.
- They are not as lasting as traditional implants and may have to be replaced much sooner, resulting in greater expenses.
As the superior option for your dental health, traditional implants offer a more stable foundation since they are made of titanium and fuse to your jawbone. This allows for better tissue stimulation during chewing and a reduced possibility of shifting and moving. Overall, traditional dental implants function, look, and feel as natural teeth and last longer than their mini counterparts. Contact Doctor Tsvetov if you are looking for a lasting solution for your dental health in Temecula and Riverside County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mini dental implants are considered by many to be a permanent solution for replacing a missing tooth. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, mini implants tend to carry a much greater risk of breaking and fracturing, and in turn damaging the surrounding tissue and bone. Because of this, you may have to have a mini dental implant much sooner than you would a traditional one.
Although a mini dental implant procedure requires a lower initial investment, they aren’t necessarily cheaper than traditional implants in Temecula. This is because they can be less long lasting and may require a costly replacement. You should also consider the other disadvantages of mini dental implants, as they can be much more important than the cost.
Patients who get dental implants in Temecula typically find themselves in the following situations:
- They have decayed or missing teeth. Regular dental implants can provide you with a stable and lasting solution for tooth replacement.
- They had a tooth extracted. When a tooth is extracted, it needs to be replaced with an appropriate dental implant to ensure appropriate jawbone stimulation and prevent its resorption and deterioration.
- They have gum disease or bone loss. Periodontal disease can cause patients to lose one or more teeth when the jawbone starts melting away around the teeth. Dental implants are often used to replace the missing teeth, as long as periodontal disease has been stabilized and there is no ongoing bone loss.
- Their teeth were fractured or lost as a result of trauma. Accidents can result in lost and damaged teeth that need to be replaced.
When getting dental implants in Temecula, choosing the right oral surgeon is essential. At Temecula Center for Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants, you can book a free consultation with Dr. Tsvetov, a board-certified specialist with years of experience. Contact us now and get free cone beam scans and X-ray in addition to a pain-free procedure.
It is only natural that you should take your time when deciding on something as important as dental implants. At Temecula Center for Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants, we bring you expertise-based implant solutions in Temecula and the rest of Riverside County. Thanks to the vast knowledge and experience of Doctor Tsvetov, we are able to answer any questions you may have and provide you with pain-free procedures that help improve your dental health.
Our services include the placement of single, several, and full-arch implants, and we also offer multiple anesthesia options to our patients. If you want to learn more about the cost of dental implants or need help deciding between dental implants and bridges, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book a free consultation today!