When you lose teeth due to extraction or decay, your dentist will want to talk with you about your options. It's best to have your missing teeth replaced as soon as possible in order to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting. Some people have reservations about getting standard dental implants. However, there is another alternative. Mini dental implants are smaller versions of the titanium dental implants often used to hold artificial teeth in place. Here are four reasons mini implants might be the right choice for you:
1. You would like a faster recovery time.
Mini dental implants are smaller and easier for dentists to place. When you choose mini implants, your dentist won't need to perform flap surgery, a procedure in which a patient's gums are cut and lifted to expose the underlying bone. Since the mini implant procedure is less invasive, your body will heal more quickly. This means you'll be able to recover with less pain, and you'll be back to eating your favorite foods faster.
2. You have insufficient bone mass.
Dental implants are placed through your gums, directly into your jawbone. As your body heals, your jawbone will fuse to the dental implant, holding it in place. In order to support a traditional implant, you need sufficient bone mass in your jaw. You may not have enough bone mass due to erosion or simple genetics. At this point, you may choose to undergo a bone graft, but some patients don't like the idea of an additional surgery. Mini dental implants are smaller and require less bone to secure them in place, so they are a good alternative.
3. You would like to avoid general anesthesia.
The traditional dental implant procedure is considered oral surgery. While it can be performed using local anesthesia, many patients prefer general anesthesia to avoid the sensations and anxiety that can accompany surgery. The mini dental implant procedure is less extensive. It's always performed using local anesthesia, and most patients find the experience quite comfortable. Choose mini dental implants if you'd like to avoid being put to sleep with general anesthesia.
4. You need one or more prosthetic teeth.
Mini dental implants are smaller and thinner than traditional implants, but they can support the same types of prostheses as other implants. If you need one or more prosthetic teeth, a mini implant will allow you to have them. Your dentist may even be able to connect your prostheses to the mini implants on the same day.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!