Patients often come in having read about mini implants online and want to know if they are a cheaper version of the real thing. They are not. Mini implants and standard implants are different tools, and each is the better choice for certain jobs. Dr. Bruno Lemay has placed mini implants since 2001 and standard implants for decades, so here is how the decision usually goes.
The short version
- Standard implants are usually the better choice for replacing a single tooth, especially a back tooth that takes heavy chewing forces, and for supporting bridges.
- Mini implants are most often used to hold a removable denture firmly in place, and they can often be placed in bone that is too thin for a standard implant without a bone graft.
- All-on-4 is the choice when you want a full arch of fixed teeth that never come out.
What makes a mini implant different
A mini implant is a titanium post roughly half the width of a standard implant. Because it is narrower, placing it is less invasive, healing is usually quicker, and in some cases the implants and the restoration go in at a single appointment.
The narrower size is also the reason it is not the answer for everything. A single mini implant has less surface in contact with the bone, so for a lone back molar, a standard implant is usually stronger and more predictable.
Where mini implants shine: the loose denture
After teeth are lost, the jawbone slowly shrinks. That is why dentures, especially lower dentures, get looser over time, and why many denture wearers are told they do not have enough bone for standard implants without grafting first.
Mini implants often fit into that thinner bone. A few are placed in the jaw, and small attachments on each one click into the denture. The denture stops sliding around when you eat or talk, and most people can stop using adhesive.
Questions we ask before recommending one
- What are we replacing? One tooth, several, or a whole arch?
- How much bone is there? We check with digital imaging and, when needed, a 3D cone beam CT scan.
- Fixed or removable? Do you want teeth that stay in, or is a denture that clicks firmly into place enough?
- What is your budget? Mini implants for a denture usually cost less than a full-arch fixed bridge. We give you out-of-pocket costs before treatment.
- Is grafting a good option for you? If it is, standard implants may open up. If not, minis may be the practical choice.
The bottom line
The right implant depends on your mouth, not on a trend. At a consultation we look at your bone, talk about what you want, and recommend one option with the cost up front. If you have a denture that will not stay put, mini implants are worth asking about.
Call (760) 324-4450 or send an appointment request to book an implant consultation.