Mini dental implants are smaller versions of traditional dental implants, which may be more suitable for some patients, especially those who have low bone density in the jaw.

How are mini implants fitted?

Mini implants work in the same way as traditional dental implants; however, as they are smaller, the procedure is less invasive and the implants can be fitted into the jaw bone directly through the gums without the need for making incisions in the gum tissue. Unlike traditional implants, there is no need to wait months for the implant to integrate into the bone and in the vast majority of cases, a new restoration can be fitted immediately, leaving patients free to show off their new smile straight away.

Before the implants are fitted, the gum is anaesthetised; the procedure can also be carried out under sedation and this may be a wise choice for nervous patients. The head of the mini dental implant is located above the gum line and it can be used to anchor a dental bridge, crown or denture.

What are the benefits of mini implants?

Dental implants have many benefits and these are shared by mini implants. Mini implants are ideal for patients who may have been advised against having traditional dental implants because they lack bone density in the jaw; it is important that there is sufficient bone mass in the jaw to support a dental implant. With mini implants, the treatment will be successful even in cases where the bone mass is not as dense as it could be and there is no need for grafting or invasive surgery to build up the bone mass.

Mini implants provide robust anchorage for the new restoration and this improves functionality and ensures that patients have peace of mind that there crown, bridge or denture will not come loose.

One of the major benefits of mini implants over traditional implants is that treatment time is a lot shorter; with traditional implants, the implants are left to integrate into the bone tissue and this takes several months. In the case of mini implants, the new restorations can be fitted straight away.

Perhaps we should begin at the beginning, prior to discussing issues of size, with what exactly a dental implant is: A dental implant is essentially a fake tooth anchored to your jaw by a small metal rod. They also happen to be one of the most effective replacements for missing teeth. They look and function like the real deal, can be cleaned and treated like the real thing and can even stimulate bone growth (thus combating the change in jaw shape and facial appearance that plagues denture users). The big problem is that this wondrous treatment is always applicable; bone density issues are a common barrier to dental implant treatment. Thankfully, at Liverpool Dental Spa, we offer a treatment that can bypass many of these problems!

What are mini-implants?

The little learned brothers of the aforementioned dental implants, mini implants are basically more democratic dental implants: They are suited to more people! They are also more effective time-wise: Traditional dental implants can require months of preparatory bone fusion, whilst mini implants can be fitted in one day! Having mini-implants fitted is also far less invasive than with standard implants.

More uses than one

Mini implants can be used for individual teeth, but they can also be used to anchor in an entire set! Six mini implants, complete with screw tops, can be affixed to your jaw, a pair of dentures can then be attached to the screw tops. This will stabilise the dentures, overcoming the common problem of denture slippage and still managing to stimulate bone growth.

The procedure itself

The process of having them fitted is relatively straightforward, fairly swift and not all that invasive. The patient will receive a local anaesthetic and then a tiny hole will be produced in their gum to accommodate the implant. The top of said implant will be situated above the gum line so that your choice of replacement tooth (or teeth) can be fixed into place.  Thanks to the mini implants tiny size, the gum need not even be cut. This process can be done in as a little as half an hour and can be completed in a single trip. The healing process, post-treatment, is also fairly speedy!

Talk to us

Like the sound of mini dental implants? Then call us to book a consultation!

Mini implants are a smaller and narrower version of the traditional dental implant. They are designed to replace missing teeth or act as a means of greater retention for denture wearers, working in much the same way as the tradition system, by restoring functionality, replacing missing teeth and improving stability.

Mini implants are advantageous for the following reasons:

• Less invasive: Beneficial to elderly patients do not wish to undergo the more invasive implant procedure.
• Loose denture wearers: Particularly helpful to retain loose, lower dentures, which improves the ability to ear food and speak correctly.
• Those with substantial jaw bone loss: Long-term denture wearers or those who haven’t had their missing teeth replaced will often require bone grafts before receiving implants. As the jaw bone often recedes due to denture pressure for example a bone graft is usually required for traditional dental implants. Mini implants, however, require what is known as ‘flapless surgery’, which means the small implant is placed within a small opening of the gum.
• If waiting for dental implants: Mini implants can be used as a temporary restoration while standard implants are being created.

The minimally invasive procedure is as follows:

1. A local anaesthetic is administered to the gums in order to counteract any form of discomfort.
2. The durable titanium implants are fitted within the pre-drilled sockets by means of flapless surgery (no incisions required).
3. The average amount of mini implants fitted amounts to four and this is able to support a full set of lower dentures, but this will depend on the number of missing teeth.
4. Restorations can be fitted immediately so that your new smile can be enjoyed without delay!
5. The procedure is usually completed within an hour.

For a consultation about mini implants please contact the team today at Liverpool Dental Spa in the city of Liverpool.