Replace a single tooth with Mini Dental Implants

For years, dentists have been replacing damaged, decayed and missing teeth with various forms of dental prosthetics, but none achieve stable, long-lasting results like mini dental implants. Dental implants vary from more traditional forms of tooth replacement, because unlike crowns, bridges and dentures, implants can provide patients with the look and feel of naturally growing teeth, without relying on support from surrounding teeth.  In addition, advancements in dental technology now allow for the replacement of even a single tooth with mini dental implants.

Mini dental implants, while similar to their more traditional counterparts, are truly revolutionary because they allow patients to replace a full set of teeth, a group of teeth, or even a single tooth, without causing damage to the surrounding structures in the mouth—and with naturally looking results. In addition, the small stature of the mini implants allows more patient to undergo treatment.

Until now, most patients replaced a single tooth by way of crown or bridge, but now, dental implant technology offers a better solution. Crowns are often used when a patient has a damaged or decayed tooth. A root canal is used to prepare the tooth and the tooth roots for the crown. Similarly, bridges are used to replace a single tooth or a group of teeth, and can be effective, but rely on support from surrounding teeth, which over time, can cause damage.  Patients looking for safe, long-lasting results are now turning to dental implants.

The mini dental implant treatment is administered right in your dentist’s office using local anesthetic. Your dentist will use a specialized drill to create a small hole in the jaw bone for implant placement. A specialized wrench is then used to tighten or ‘screw’ the implant in place, providing stability for the dental prosthetic. Once placed, only the implant head, or abutment, will be visible above the gum line.

At this time, your dentist will attach a metal housing to the bottom of the dental prosthetic (crown, bridge, dentures). The metal housing is socket-like in nature and fits over the ball-shaped implant head. Once the metal housing is placed, your dentist will ‘snap’ the housing onto the implant head, giving the dental prosthetic the look and feel of naturally growing teeth. The stability provided by the dental implant affords patients long-lasting results.