Mini-Dental Implants

Crowns, bridges and dentures, while common, are not the only options for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants provide a more permanent option with greater stability and, many patients feel, a more natural look and secure fit than other methods. In fact, a recent ADA survey found that dental implants are becoming more popular as an option for replacing missing teeth.

This is likely due, in part, to the increasing average life span and the advantages of a more permanent repair option provided by implants. In recent years, "mini-implants" have been developed, which significantly reduce the patient's time required in the dentist office for installation and fitting, and in the patient's recovery time. Dr. Brewer is pleased to offer mini-implants as an option for replacing missing teeth.

What are Implants?

Dental implants are small screws or anchors that are inserted into the jaw bone to support one or more artificial teeth. The denture or artificial teeth are fitted over the anchors and snap in place to provide a secure mounting. The denture doesn't require adhesive or paste to be held in place.

Patients who choose implants as an option like the more natural look and feel that often can not be achieved with conventional dentures or a bridge. In addition, because implants don't require the use of adjacent teeth to serve as an anchor, as is common with a bridge, your remaining original teeth are left untouched.

What are Mini-Implants?

Mini-implants function just like conventional implants, but require fewer anchors. This can significantly reduce the time required for installation and the discomfort level experienced by the patient.

For conventional implants, several office visits are usually required to install the anchors and fit the denture. In addition, the healing period for conventional implants can often be 4 to 6 months. With mini-implants, however, the entire installation and fitting process can be completed in one office visit - often within 1-1/2 hours. In addition, the procedure is completed with just a local anesthetic. The patient usually experiences some initial mild soreness that may last from just a few hours to a few days.

Mini-implants are an ideal option for patients who are in good general oral health, who have lost one or more teeth due to periodental disease or injury, and who have adequate jaw bone mass to support the implant.

Advantages

The mini-implant significantly reduces the patient's time in the dentist's office, reduces the recovery period to a few hours or days, and costs much less than conventional dental implants. In addition, as with implants in general, the patient usually enjoys a more stable and reliable fit, a look and feel that resembles natural teeth, and the confidence to smile, talk and eat and they did with their original teeth.

For More Information...

If you have questions about mini-implants, or any other aspect of dental health, please contact Dr. Brewer and his staff.