If you’re one of the many Americans that is missing teeth, you have probably already noticed the detrimental impact that it has on your oral health.
One of the best solutions that we offer for reclaiming your beautiful smile is mini implants.
Below we’ve provided some answers to some of the most common questions that our patients have about mini implants, so you can decide if they are the right fit for you.
What’s the Difference Between Regular and Mini Implants?
Mini implants are a popular alternative to traditional implants that can restore the structure and health you lost with your missing teeth.
These implants look like traditional implants and consist of a thin titanium post (only 3mm in diameter) that is implanted into your jaw with a socket on the end that will hold your new tooth in place.
The biggest difference is the size. Mini implants are nearly twice as small as regular ones. This means they’re cheaper, easier to insert, and are available to more people.
What Is the Procedure for Receiving a Mini Implant?
The procedure for receiving Mini Implants involves these steps:
- Initial Consultation: We start by examining your teeth and gums to help determine how successful an implant would be. This helps give us an overall picture of your oral health. Very few oral conditions would prevent us from continuing.
- X-Rays to Determine Bone Mass: We will then take an x-ray to determine how much bone is available for us to use in the implant. The advantage of mini implants is that they can be inserted into smaller jawbones than regular-sized implants.
- Custom Design of Your Implant: Next, we take impressions of your teeth and use them to create a dental implant that is designed in our laboratory. The dental implant is designed to look natural, so it will blend in perfectly with your permanent teeth.
- Placement of the Implants: When you come in for your implant appointment we will numb the surrounding area so that you feel comfortable and relaxed. We will then proceed to place the implant and close the area.
The mini implant procedure is a time-efficient outpatient procedure and takes only a couple of hours to complete.
Am I a Good Candidate for Mini Implants?
Mini implants are a great solution for adult patients of all ages. If you’re missing any of your teeth, and want to restore your beautiful smile, then mini implants might be a good fit for you.
Our patients will typically opt to receive mini implants if they have a receding jawbone, want to avoid a longer procedure, or want a cost-effective option that gives them results that they can be proud of.
If this describes you, and you want a long-term solution to a gapped smile that works like natural teeth, you will definitely want to consider mini implants!
The Advantages of Mini Implants
While standard implants are more widely used, mini implants have several advantages that our patients love:
The Mini Implant Procedure Is Less Complex
Traditional implants are an incredible innovation in dental technology, although they do come with some drawbacks—they require months of dental work, including intense surgery. Mini implants are a lot smaller and don’t require the same procedure because they aren’t inserted into your jawbone.
Mini Implants Are Compatible With Smaller Jaws
When we lose teeth, we also lose the stimulation the roots provide to the jawbone. Sometimes people with many missing teeth, or teeth that have been missing for a long time, have smaller jaws that cannot support regular implants. That’s what makes mini implants so great! They’re perfect for smaller jaws.
Enjoy a Faster Recovery Time
Mini implants don’t need a series of surgeries or bone grafts required for your jawbone to receive a standard implant. Your mouth will heal much more quickly, and you will be back to doing what you love before you know it, without having to take a lot of painkillers.
Avoid the Slipping That Comes With Dentures
Mini implants are anchored securely in place and are made to feel like an extension of your jaw. They won’t slip around or move out of place like traditional dentures might, so you don’t have to worry about this happening while you are talking or eating.
Mini Implants Produce Faster Results
You don’t have to wait months for your gums to accept the implant and heal. Once your lab-created implant is ready, we can go ahead and install it right away. You will be able to quickly use your implant for all of the activities that you normally do with your smile.
Mini Implants Use the Latest Dental Technology
We are proud to offer mini implants at Wagner Dental because they use the latest innovations in science and dental technology to give you long-lasting, healthy teeth that are anchored firmly in place.
Strong and Sturdy Tooth Restorations
It’s probably been a long time since you have been able to eat comfortably or smile with confidence. Mini implants will make it possible to eat your favorite cheeseburger without feeling any pain and give your friends a smile that is full of self-esteem and confidence.
Implants Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth
Mini implants are created by taking an impression of your teeth and creating a custom tooth in our laboratory. Your tooth will be made from porcelain and you can feel confident that nobody will know that you have dental implants.
Taking Care of Your Mini Implants
In order to get the most out of your mini implants, you need to take proper care of them. Here is what you want to do to ensure that you get long-lasting results.
Keep Up With Daily Hygiene Practices
For the first couple of days after receiving your mini implant, you will want to use a toothbrush with softer bristles, as your gums may be extra sensitive.
After your mouth has fully healed, the importance of brushing and flossing daily cannot be overstated! By practicing these vital oral health habits you remove the daily buildup of plaque so you don’t wear down the new crowns you’ve had placed.
Avoid Smoking and Other Substances That Can Damage Your Gums
Your gums need to be healthy to support your implant. Long-term smoking can weaken your gums and cause them to deteriorate. If this happens, your implant can loosen and even fall out.
Schedule Regular Visits to the Dentist
Make sure to come in for follow-up appointments on a regular basis to make sure that your implant is strong and healthy. If you follow the guidance above and the instructions that we give you during your visit, your mini implants can last for years before needing to be replaced
How Much Do Mini Dental Implants Cost?
The price of mini dental implants varies. You will want to talk to our billing specialist to discuss your situation and the available options. One of the reasons why mini implants are an attractive option to many patients is that they typically cost less than traditional dental implants while still offering many of the same results.
Call Our Office Today to Learn More!
If you have missing teeth and are looking for a permanent solution that will give you the structure and quality of natural teeth, then mini implants are a great solution that you want to look further into.
At Wagner Dental we have years of experience providing the Las Vegas area with beautiful smiles. Call our office today to book your free mini implant consultation!