Are Mini Dental Implants Permanent?

Mini dental implants are smaller than regular dental implants and are ideal for areas in the mouth that may not be able to support a traditional implant.

Since mini dental implants require less bone for adequate support, people lacking bone in their jaw from tooth loss or osteoporosis may qualify for mini dental implants without a bone graft.

But are mini dental implants permanent? Here is what you need to know about these sturdy smile restorations and if they might be the right choice for your tooth replacement needs.

Mini Dental Implants Can Be Permanent or Temporary

Mini dental implants are a versatile tooth replacement option that can be permanent or temporary. How is this possible?

• For temporary cases. A mini dental implant can be used to stabilize a prosthesis, such as an overdenture, while you receive bone grafting. In such cases, you would not have to go weeks or months without teeth. this way you can be confident about your smile while your permanent restoration is underway.

• For permanent cases. Mini dental implants can be a permanent solution for prostheses in areas that would not otherwise support a regular implant, such as those with minimal bone or areas that naturally have smaller teeth. They can also provide retention for  an overdenture, giving additional stability and bone augmentation for missing teeth [1].

Each case is unique. When you work with our Washington DC prosthodontists, Dr. Marlin at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we help you decide if mini dental implants would be an appropriate option for your smile restoration.

What to Expect With Permanent Mini Dental Implants

With permanent mini implants, patients can experience immediate stability for their denture prosthesis. Mini implants are not meant to support individual crowns. Rather, they act as an anchoring device for overdenture retention.

Although mini dental implants provide most of the benefits of traditional implants, it is important to understand that they may not last as long[2].

Patients can generally expect a less expensive procedure and a shorter surgery time with mini dental implants. Of course, we offer sedation dentistry regardless of the length of your procedure if you would like more support to remain relaxed during your appointment.

What Patients Can Expect With Temporary Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants used as temporary solutions offer the advantage of providing immediate anchorage to overdentures so that patients can still smile and chew food without missing teeth. Eventually, the traditional implant or prosthesis will be placed as a permanent solution [3]. These smaller dental implants are used for several months or up to a year in temporary cases.

Are Mini Dental Implants Right for You and Your Smile Restoration?

Mini dental implants will not be the right choice for every patient. Find out if these smaller dental implants could benefit your smile by scheduling a consultation with Elite Prosthetic Dentistry today. Our experienced and award-winning prosthodontists specialize in mini and other types of dental implants, and will help you understand all your options. We look forward to helping you restore your smile!

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32663848/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8074399/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513266/