The gold standard for replacing missing teeth is dental implants. They restore your tooth from the root up, giving unmatched reliability and strength. However, after your consultation, what if your dentist said you aren’t eligible for them? It’s normal if you are a bit down, but don’t give up just yet! While you can get some preliminary procedures, you can also consider mini dental implants! Keep reading to learn more about them and whether they may be right for you.
How Are Mini Dental Implants Different?
As the extra adjective implies, this treatment is simply a smaller version of their normal-sized brethren. They are still high-quality titanium screws that are placed and fused into your jawbone. A restoration will sit on top that will help restore the function and look of your tooth.
While they are typically the same length, mini dental implants are often two to three millimeters wide. Compare this to traditional dental implants, which are about four to six millimeters wide. To put this into perspective, a toothpick is often around two millimeters thick.
Am I A Candidate for Mini Dental Implants?
Some of the things that your dentist looks for in this tooth replacement option are generally the same, whether the mini or traditional version. You’ll need to have good oral and overall health and avoid bad habits, such as smoking.
That being said, one different consideration is your jawbone density. Regular implants are much thicker, so they will need more of it to be stable and sturdy. This isn’t the case with mini implants! They don’t require as much because they are slimmer, allowing your provider to place them in areas that have limited bone there.
Many people don’t need a bone graft beforehand, making it much less invasive as well. This treatment may also be helpful for some patients who have a narrow space to work with.
Are Mini Dental Implants Right for Me?
In the end, the best way to know if mini dental implants are right for you is through a consultation. This may seem like a hurdle to get to your full smile, but they are essential. These thorough visits help ensure you get what you’re looking for and feel your best with your results. Your provider will be able to go in-depth about this treatment; that way, you make a decision you are more than confident with.
About the Practice
At Complete Dental Care, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your grin. We are here to help those in the community who have experienced tooth loss with reliable replacement options. By coming to us for dental implants or their mini version, you can trust that you get a full set of teeth that look and function like normal. If you are interested in this treatment, schedule an appointment or call our Kent office at (253) 854-2714.