Contrary to popular belief, mini dental implants are not inferior to traditional implants. If anything, mini dental implants are considered the best alternative to traditional implants for replacement teeth in certain scenarios.
For starters, mini dental implants are used when the space is extra narrow and an average implant just won’t fit in. Oftentimes, mini dental implants are also used to replace incisors. They are also the best recourse for patients with generally small teeth.
When are Mini Dental Implants Used?
Let’s get something straight: you can’t get mini dental implants just because you prefer them. Mini dental implants are designed for use in specific cases. Oftentimes, mini dental implants are considered ideal in the following scenarios:
If the teeth for replacement is situated in the front, dental implant system.
If you need premolar replacement
If your teeth is located in a very narrow space
If you have really small teeth
Mini dental implants are considered more secure compared to other alternatives. Since it provides more security, you can use it just like you would your natural tooth.
How Long Do Mini Dental Implants Last?
The lifespan of mini dental implants will depend on bone and surgery factors. Some of the key factors are:
Smoking
Osteoporosis (or other bone diseases)
Substance or alcohol abuse
Lack of implant care
Also, it is important to keep in mind that every mouth is different. That being said, even if 2 patients will get dental implants from the same dentist the same day, they can still have different experiences in terms of implant longevity.
What are the Differences Between Mini Dental Implants and Traditional Implants?
Many people often confuse mini dental implants and traditional implants. However, the two have distinct differences. Here’s how to differentiate one from the other:
Mini Dental Implants
Unlike the conventional implant, mini dental implants have a diameter smaller than 3mm. At the top of the device, there is a ball-shaped protrusion that’s designed to support the dentures. The denture also has a rubber O-ring that slides over the ball-shaped part.
Since mini dental implants are half the diameter of traditional implants, it would take two mini dental implants to provide the same level of support a traditional implant can provide.
While this can seem like a bad thing, nothing is farther from the truth. You have to keep in mind that sometimes, a smaller implant is the only option that can fit within a small space.
Traditional Dental Implants
A traditional implant is made up of two pieces. The external dental implant screw goes into the bone and has a diameter larger than 3mm. Inside the implant, there’s a thread compatible with various types of dentures.
While traditional implants are better able to distribute the weight of a denture, sometimes it’s just not the ideal option especially when the space is just too narrow for traditional implants to fit in.
How Much Do Mini Dental Implants Cost?
The short answer: less than conventional implants. On average, mini dental implants can cost between $500 to $1, 500. Conventional implants on the other hand can cost around $4, 000 to $5, 000.
Below are some of the reasons mini dental implants are cheaper than traditional implants:
They have more affordable implant screws. Understandably, since the screws used are smaller, they are way cheaper compared to the larger screws that are used for traditional implants.
The procedure is way more simple. The process of inserting mini dental implants is less time-consuming and less invasive compared to traditional implants. Since less effort and time is required, the money spent is also less.
Bone grafting is often not needed. In most cases, there is no need to perform any bone grafting for patients in need of mini dental implants. One less step in the process also means a significant decrease in the overall cost.
