Mini dental implants

Mini dental implants are smaller in diameter. Mini implants can be divided into two categories based on their diameter. Mini implants have a diameter of less than 3 mm, whereas the standard implants have a diameter greater than 3 mm, usually 4 mm or 5 mm. Mini implants cost less than half of standard implants, and sometimes a quarter of their value. Mini implants are sometimes referred to as small-diameter implants (SDI) or narrow implants (NBI). Although mini dental implants are actually a trade name, the most common small-diameter implants, 3M ™ ESPE ™ MDI Mini Dental Implants, dentistry has adopted the term to describe all the implants of this kind. Some small-diameter implants are used as anchors in orthodontics and are known as temporary anchors (such as, for example, Unitek ™ Temporary fastening system). They differ from mini implants because they are removed when no longer needed and when orthodontic treatment is completed. Mini dental implants, as well as standard implantsare made from various titanium alloys.

The use of mini dental implants

Mini dental implants are very important for patients without any teeth that have loose bottom dentures and want a safe solution to strengthen them. Most patients with dentures have highly resorbed jawbone (upper and / or lower jaw) and the standard dental implant is necessary to increase the so-called bone augmentation. Also, the state of health of many elderly patients prevents invasive dental treatment, such as the standard implants. In contrast to standard implants, tests performed by two hundred physicians have shown that the procedure of raising most of the flap (80% of the time) is not necessary to set mini implants. This reduces recovery time because the fact that the process of raising the flap is avoided and the least invasive approach is taken which helps the process of recovery (periosteum is not disturbed) and provides instant relief.

Although they are not widely used, mini implants are approved by American FDA for use. Selection of appropriate cases is crucial, but the available literature shows a rate of success that competes with conventional implants. This means that if you are missing one or more teeth, you can place the mini implant and make a crown that will be attached to the head of the implant. Another important indication of mini implants is to stabilize dentures. In this regard, mini implants are used as a temporary support for the denture during the healing process required for placement of standard implants and ossification of added bone.

Procedure

Mini implants are placed without raising the flap by using the least invasive procedure under local anesthesia. This is in sharp contrast with standard implants that are often placed with procedures that require raising the flap, addition of the bone and / or significant healing time. In America, the use of mini implants to stabilize lower dentures is a generally accepted procedure. A number of mini implants are placed in the lower jaw in order to stabilize the prosthesis (as opposed to adhesive materials or other methods of stabilization). For the majority of mini implants it is necessary to drill a small hole before placing.