Dental Implants vs Mini Implants
 Many people at one time or another lose a tooth and wonder what the best method of restoration will be for their missing tooth. In years past, a bridge or partial denture may have been the only solution. These did nothing to protect the underlying jaw bone from deterioration and could even affect the health of your surrounding teeth. We at ImplantWide in Schaumburg, IL are proud to offer our patients two of the most exciting advances in modern dental technology: dental implants and mini implants.
Dental Implants
A traditional dental implant is a post or screw measuring about 4-5mm in diameter. The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone in a safe and comfortable procedure. A crown or bridge, depending on the number of teeth to be replaced, is then fixed to the implant. Regular dental implants are often recommended for back teeth, or molars because of their size. The restoration will blend seamlessly into your smile and feel and behave just like your natural teeth. You’ll be able to chew, speak, and care for your implant confidently. Best of all, the implant is made of titanium, which will fuse to and ultimately strengthen your jawbone. Implants can last many years and for some patients may last a lifetime.
Regular implants, however, may not be possible for some patients due to jawbone loss or cost. If a patient has been missing teeth for some time and they have already experienced some loss of jawbone density, there may not be an adequate structure to hold such a large implant. For some patients, the cost of regular implants may be prohibitive.
Mini Implants
As the name suggests, mini implants are smaller than regular dental implants, but they fulfill the same function. Mini implants still work as a substitute tooth root for restoration but because they are smaller, mini implants are more affordable, less invasive, and they require less bone density,
The screw in a mini implant is much smaller, roughly 2.5mm in diameter. The procedure to place the implant is much less invasive and less time-consuming. You’ll even be able to recover from the procedure in less time. Mini implants are often recommended for teeth that need to be replaced in the front of the mouth. Some patients, who didn’t have enough bone density for regular implants and had had to settle for removable bridges or braces, may be able to enjoy the benefits of implants for the first time with minis.
Still, there are some drawbacks to mini dental implants. Their small size makes them less stable than traditional implants. Also, mini dental implants are still new, and so there’s less information available about how long we can expect mini implants to last. While we’re certain that dental implants last for many years, it’s unclear how mini implants will compare to the impressive longevity of regular dental implants.
Call us today at (630) 394-9787 to schedule an examination and an in-depth consultation to see if traditional or mini implants are right for you. |
