What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Those men and women searching for a safe and effective way to replace broken, damaged and missing teeth often turn to dental implants, but knowing the different types of dental implants available will help patients to choose which dental implant is right for them.

Dental implants are not all the same. Depending on the size of the implant, dental implants are classified into two main groups: standard dental implants and mini dental implants. Regardless of size, all dental implants use titanium alloy to fuse to the jaw bone, thus creating a base for replacement teeth.

So what are Mini Dental Implants?  Mini Dental Implants, or MDI’s, are the newest dental implant technology to become available to patients who are looking to improve their smile. Until now, patients looking to replace teeth have turned to traditional dental implants, which can be quite invasive, and dentures, which can cause both irritation and frustration due to their non-permanent nature.  Mini Dental Implants provide a non-invasive alternative to traditional implants, and allow more patients to replace missing teeth.

The Mini Dental Implant Procedure

The Mini Dental Implant treatment is similar to the traditional dental implant procedure, however due to their size, more patients are able to secure dental prosthetics with this technologically advanced treatment.

The treatment begins by securing the MDI. This is done using a minimally-invasive surgical technique which places the implant into the jaw bone, allowing the bone to fuse with the implant, keeping it in place. The tip of the implant protrudes from the gum line and has a ball-like shape. This ball-like shape is designed to connect securely with a retaining fixture which is attached to the bottom of the dental prosthetic. This retaining fixture is socket-like in nature and allows the implant to ‘snap’ into place, securing the dental prosthetic.

A Mini Dental Implant is smaller and thinner than a regular dental implant. In addition, MDI treatments are less invasive, take less time, and heal faster. Mini Dental Implants allow patients the ability to retain dental implants that look and act like natural teeth.