What Are Mini Dental Implants?
If you’ve been considering a dental implant in Richmond and carrying out some prior research then you may have come across the term ‘mini implants’ but what are they and what do they do? Let’s take a closer look.
Like their name suggests, mini implants are smaller versions of dental implants and are most commonly used in cases where a patient has the minimal amount of bone that is necessary for the implant treatment. Similar to their larger counterparts they:
- use small posts which act as tooth roots
- preserve bone structure while functioning as an anchor for replacement teeth
- can be cemented to dental crowns or bridges or snapped into place on dentures
- are made from titanium or a titanium alloy
In effect the main difference is their size. Mini implants range in diameter from 1.8 to 2.0mm whereas conventional implants can be anywhere from 3.0 to 6.0mm. You may also have come across the term ‘small diameter’ implant and although this is a mini implant it’s one that has a slightly wider diameter measuring between 2.2 -3.0mm. However it still has the same function as a mini implant.
Why are mini implants useful?
Because mini and small diameter implants are much smaller than conventional dental implants surgery not as invasive and puts less pressure on the jawbone during surgery. The benefits of this include:
- Healing time after surgery is far quicker than with conventional implants
- People who have been previously turned down for dental implant treatment may well qualify for mini implants because they require less bone structure to be present
- Often they can help avoid the need for a bone graft
- Surgery is usually shorter since they’re easier to place
Since no two patients are alike in their dental needs, your implant dentist will make a decision on which type of implant to use in a way that suits your particular oral structure, and so he doesn’t limit himself to just one or two types of dental implant. If you’re suffering from bone loss then mini dental implants may well be a solution to your restorative needs. In addition they can be used to support dentures to keep them more stable in the mouth and prevent them from slipping and sliding around. Patients who have been wearing dentures for many years are likely to have lost a lot of bone and often make good candidates for mini implants.
If you’d like to know more about how dental implants in Richmond could help you then why not come and speak with the team at Sheen Dental. You can book a free consultation online at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk or phone us direct on 020 8876 5277. We look forward to welcoming you to our clinic.