Mini Dental Implants for Patients with Jaw Bone Atrophy
Patients who have suffered jaw bone atrophy are often unable to support traditional dental implants. Fortunately, mini dental implants offer many patients an effective alternative. These implants are not only smaller but can also be strategically placed to leverage the remaining jaw bone tissue for stable tooth replacement. At his Cedar City, UT, practice, Dr. Brian K. Tavoian is dedicated restoring patients' smiles after tooth loss. Working with your best interest in mind, Brian can help you determine whether mini dental implants can provide you with a reliable solution.
What are Mini Dental Implants?
Like traditional implants, mini dental implants are designed to secure dental crowns, dentures, and dental bridges directly to the jawbone. The two differ primarily in structure. Mini dental implants are smaller in both height and width, ranging in diameter from 2mm to 3.5mm, in contrast to the 3.5mm to 6mm. of traditional implants. Furthermore, mini implants usually come in one piece, whereas traditional implants require both an implant post and abutment to attach to a restoration.
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Candidates for Mini Implants
Due to their smaller design, mini dental implants are often recommended to patients who have experienced jawbone atrophy. Deterioration of the jawbone can begin shortly after a tooth has fallen out. Many patients wait to replace missing teeth, at which point there may not be enough tissue to support an implant. The size of mini implants typically allows these patients to undergo the procedure without the need for additional preparatory surgeries, such as bone grafting.
Do not give up hope of replacing missing teeth if you are not a candidate for traditional implants: mini implants may still be a viable option for you.
Benefits and Risks
In addition to making treatment more accessible to patients who are otherwise ineligible, mini dental implants are:
- Less Invasive: Often, there is a lower risk of complications and reduced recovery associated with mini implants. Because the doctor does not need to create as deep a pilot hole to insert the implant, the surgery is overall less invasive than that for traditional implants.
- Convenient: Mini dental implants can also often be restored the same day of surgery. Consequently, patients who prefer not to wear a temporary restoration during the healing period may benefit from mini implants.
- More Affordable: Because treatment is less extensive, mini implants are often less expensive than traditional implants, as well. Brian also accepts CareCredit® patient financing to help cover the cost of the procedure.
It is important to note that mini dental implants are not always the best choice for every patient. Brian can evaluate your oral health during an extensive examination to determine which type of implant is best for your needs.
Learn If You Qualify
Dental implants can significantly improve your life. Do not give up hope of replacing missing teeth if you are not a candidate for traditional implants: mini implants may still be a viable option for you. Contact us online or call us today at (435) 586-0123 to schedule your consultation, Brian is passionate about helping patients restore their smiles.
