The time has come for you to obtain dental implants. But the dentist warned you that it could take six to eight months. Also, you don’t have enough bone to accept the implants. Six months before the implant procedure, you’ll need bone grafts. Simply put, it’s too much. It is time-consuming and costly. Just what are you doing? Do alternate options exist?
What Are Mini-Implant Dentures?
Mini dental implants are a more compact alternative to standard titanium implants. Like its counterpart, an implant-supported denture can protect the jawbone and replace missing teeth in a stable, long-term way. These implants can help people who have dentures or will need them in the future but don’t have enough bone to hold full-sized implants without having bone grafting surgery.
How Miniature Implant Dentures Are Placed
Your dentist will look at your teeth and take x-rays to decide if mini-dental implants are the right choice for you. If your dentist thinks you are a good candidate for dental implants, they will set up an appointment for the surgery, which involves giving you a local anesthetic for your gums and putting titanium posts into your jawbone. The surgery is usually more straightforward and less invasive than the usual way to put in an implant.
All the parts needed to attach a denture to implants are built into one piece. The denture can be put on the implants the same day as the surgery as long as all of the mini-implants are stable as soon as they are put in.
If the dental implants aren’t exceptionally stable, your dentist may recommend hollowing out your current denture so it can be worn over the implants during the healing process. Later, a replacement denture is made with attachments that snap it into place, making it work like real teeth.
Mini-Implant Denture Maintenance
The success of any dental procedure depends on how well the patient takes care of their teeth at home. If you want your mini-implant denture to last as long as possible, you’ll need to take it out of your mouth frequently to clean it. Daily cleaning around the implants requires the use of a specialized brush.
Also, patients need to check their mini-dental implants to make sure they are firmly attached to the jaw. Swelling, pain, or the possibility of the implant moving around are all reasons to make an emergency appointment with your dentist.
The rubber O-ring that holds the denture to the post needs to be replaced often because it wears out and loses its strength. Always schedule an annual visit with your dentist to thoroughly clean the area around your implants and to head off any potential problems before they start.
Benefits of Mini-Implant Dentures
These are just a few ways dental implants make dentures more comfortable, help you chew better, and keep your bones healthy. Dental implants also keep the jawbone from breaking down, which makes the bone work and gives the bone level a reason to stay the same. Mini-dental implants, in particular, offer advantages over standard implants:
- Lower Cost
Most of the time, mini-dental implant surgery is much cheaper than traditional implant placement. This is because the implants are smaller, less material is used to make them, and the procedure is easier.
- Less Invasive
When an implant is smaller, it requires less space during surgery, heals more rapidly, and causes less discomfort for the patient. Because of this, mini-implants are a great option.
- Expedient Results
Mini-dental implants are one-piece devices, meaning they can be put in during a single office visit and won’t need any extra surgery to get them ready for dentures. So, you can enjoy the advantages of stable dentures without undergoing additional treatments.
Who Should Get Mini-Implant Dentures?
Denture stabilization is helpful for anyone with dentures, especially those with lower ones. Even if your lower denture fits well now, it will get loose because bone shrinks over time. Giving the jawbone something to do rather than just sitting there is crucial if you want to keep it from dissolving over time.However, several conventional implants may only be an option for some patients with dentures. Mini-dental implants don’t need invasive pre-implant bone grafting treatments to make the bone wider and taller before they can be put in. This is not the case with traditional dental implants. If this describes you, you might benefit from a mini-implant denture treatment option.