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Are Mini Dental Implants Permanent?
Posted in Dental Implants
Posted on September 7, 2023 by Dr. Gerald Marlin
Mini dental implants are smaller than regular dental implants and can be an ideal option for areas in the mouth that may not support a traditional implant. These mini implants offer versatility in dental restorations, providing solutions where other options may not be suitable.
Since mini dental implants require less bone for adequate support, they are often a viable choice for individuals with limited jawbone density, whether due to tooth loss or conditions like osteoporosis. This means many patients can avoid the need for a bone graft and still enjoy the benefits of a secure, reliable implant.
Are mini dental implants permanent? Here’s what you need to know about these durable smile restorations and how they may meet your tooth replacement needs.
Mini Dental Implants Can Be Permanent or Temporary
Mini dental implants are a flexible option for tooth replacement and can serve either permanent or temporary purposes. How does this work?
- For temporary cases: A mini dental implant can be used as an anchor to stabilize a prosthesis, like an overdenture, while you undergo bone grafting. This approach allows patients to maintain their smile and chewing ability throughout their restoration journey, even as they prepare for a permanent implant solution.
- For permanent cases: Mini dental implants can provide a lasting solution for specific areas of the mouth, particularly in locations with minimal bone density or for smaller teeth. They can also offer stability for an overdenture, adding support and retention for those with bone loss and aiding in the preservation of remaining bone structures. Mini implants offer a practical, cost-effective alternative for missing teeth, particularly when traditional implants aren’t viable.
Each case is unique. When you work with our Washington DC prosthodontists, Dr. Marlin and Dr. Talmazov at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we’ll help determine whether mini dental implants are the right choice for your smile restoration and tooth replacement needs.
What to Expect With Permanent Mini Dental Implants
With permanent mini implants, patients can enjoy immediate stability for their denture prosthesis. Unlike traditional implants, mini dental implants are not intended to support individual crowns but rather serve as an anchoring device for overdentures. This specialized mini implant housing enhances retention, ensuring that the overdenture remains stable and functional.
While mini dental implants provide many advantages similar to traditional implants, it’s essential to understand their longevity. How long do mini dental implants last? In general, they can offer a durable solution but may not last as long as standard implants, depending on individual needs and placement.
Mini implants often offer a less invasive and more affordable solution compared to regular implants, and with shorter surgery time. Additionally, we provide sedation dentistry for all procedures to ensure a comfortable, relaxed experience, regardless of the length of your treatment.
What Patients Can Expect With Temporary Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants used as temporary anchors offer patients immediate support for overdentures, enabling them to smile confidently and enjoy meals without missing teeth. This temporary use typically lasts several months to a year, allowing patients to transition smoothly into a permanent implant or other prosthetic solutions.
Are Mini Dental Implants Right for Your Smile Restoration?
Mini dental implants are not the best solution for every patient. If you’re wondering, “Are mini implants worth it?,” our team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry can help you decide if these smaller dental implants are right for your smile. Our experienced prosthodontists specialize in mini and other types of dental implants and will discuss your options in detail to create a personalized restoration plan. We look forward to helping you restore your smile with confidence!
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Through this commitment, Dr. Marlin provides his patients with long-lasting (35 years vs. the national average of 7-10 years) aesthetic restorations so that they have virtually no future problems.
As such, he is a leading specialist in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry , and restorative dentistry in the Bethesda–Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC Metro Area. He has inserted and restored over 3,600 dental implants.