Mini Dental Implants in Idaho Falls, ID

West Wind Dental in Rigby, ID serves patients in Idaho Falls and throughout Eastern Idaho

Technology is constantly evolving, offering smarter ways to help us overcome challenges. Take video calling, for example. It has completely changed the way we stay connected. Instead of needing a plane ticket or a long-distance phone call, you can now see and talk to someone instantly with a quick tap on your smartphone. While video calling was designed to simplify communication, it has brought unexpected benefits too: helping people overcome loneliness, stay connected to loved ones, and even attend virtual doctor visits. Similarly, mini dental implants are revolutionizing tooth replacement. What once felt complicated or out of reach is now simpler and more accessible with mini implants. And with shorter healing times, lower costs, and greater accessibility, more people than ever are choosing them to restore their smiles.

Sometimes, the simplest solutions end up being the most transformative. It’s something we’ve realized at West Wind Dental, and it’s one of the reasons we’re the Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA) serving Eastern Idaho. As an MDICA, we stay up-to-date on implant technology and techniques to offer simpler, smarter solutions for our patients.

What Makes Mini Dental Implants Different?

Mini Dental Implants in Idaho Falls, ID | Book a Free ConsultationBoth mini dental implants and traditional dental implants restore a missing tooth or teeth by supporting a crown, bridge, or denture. They also use similar biocompatible materials and offer comparable success rates. But mini dental implants are a second-generation dental implant, designed to solve the various challenges of traditional dental implants.

So, what’s different then? Part of it is in the name: mini implants are about half the width of traditional implants. But the other big difference is in construction. While a conventional implant consists of multiple pieces, a mini implant is a single piece.

These two features matter. A slimmer, one-piece implant offers greater accessibility for patients with bone loss who don’t have enough space in their jaw for traditional implants. And that’s just the beginning. Mini dental implants offer several other patient-friendly benefits:

  1. Less invasive placement: We use a simpler, less invasive procedure for mini implants, often without the need for bone grafting, incisions, or stitches. This approach makes them ideal for patients who aren’t candidates for traditional oral surgery.
  2. Less pain: Because the procedure is gentler on the bone and surrounding tissue, most patients experience minimal discomfort during and after placement.
  3. Less healing time: With fewer surgical steps and smaller implants, healing is typically faster. This allows patients to return to their normal routines sooner.
  4. Less time at the dentist: Dr. Ellis can typically place mini implants in just one visit, reducing the need for multiple appointments or lengthy recovery periods.
  5. Less expensive: Mini implants cost significantly less than traditional implants, making tooth replacement more affordable without sacrificing long-term stability.

The Mini Dental Implant Process

The streamlined process for getting mini dental implants is a key advantage of this technology. Here’s what you can typically expect:

Free Implant Consultation

We offer free implant consultations to help you understand if mini implants are right for your situation. The consultation includes a discussion of concerns and what you hope to achieve with your treatment. We’ll discuss your medical history, take the necessary dental images, and conduct a brief exam to see if you are a good candidate for implants. While most people have enough bone to securely support mini implants, we’ll still need to evaluate your jaw health to select the appropriate implant type and determine the best placement.

If mini implants are the best solution, we’ll design your treatment plan, outlining the expected steps and costs of your treatment. At this visit, we will also go over insurance and financing so you can make decisions that align with both your dental and financial goals.

Implant Placement

Before placing your mini implants, Dr. Ellis will apply a local anesthetic buffered with sodium bicarbonate to reduce the sting of the injection and speed up the onset of the numbing effect. If you have particularly complex needs or are anxious about your procedure, we also offer sedation options, including oral conscious sedation, laughing gas, and IV sedation.

Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Ellis will make a small pilot hole through the gums. He’ll secure the mini implant into the jawbone and check its stability. Then, he’ll secure a temporary restoration that you’ll wear as you heal.

Healing and Recovery

After implant placement, most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days. However, full healing typically takes about 4-6 weeks if the tooth was already missing and 4-8 weeks if we needed to extract a tooth as well. That cuts the healing time from 4-6 months for traditional dental implants to just a matter of weeks for mini implants.

During this time, the jawbone is growing around the implant, forming a stable foundation.

For patients who’d like to accelerate healing, we also offer L-PRF therapy. Leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin is derived from a patient’s blood sample, which we take at the start of your visit. We spin the blood, extract the L-PRF layer, and apply it to the treatment site.

Once healing is complete, we’ll remove your temporary restoration and secure your custom tooth or teeth. The final result looks, feels, and functions like a natural smile, giving you the comfort and confidence to enjoy life to the fullest again.

Transform Your Smile With Mini Dental Implants

Just as modern technology has changed the way we connect with others, mini dental implants are changing the way we restore missing teeth. With their simple design, shorter recovery, and affordable cost, they make achieving a confident, natural-looking smile easier than ever. Ready to experience the benefits for yourself? Schedule a free consultation at West Wind Dental today and take the first step toward transforming your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! We know that cost is one of the biggest questions patients have. Mini dental implants are less expensive than traditional implants, ranging from about $1,400 to $4,500. Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of implant treatment, though the amount varies. Some plans cover a set dollar amount (like $1,000), while others may cover up to 80%.

On top of that, we offer flexible financing options through multiple lenders to make your treatment more manageable. Our goal is always to create a treatment plan that works for you. We believe that restoring your smile should feel rewarding, not stressful.

That depends on the tooth (or teeth) we’re replacing. We like to mimic Mother Nature as closely as possible. For example, molars usually have two or three roots, so we’ll place two mini implants to replicate that natural stability. For front teeth, which are single-rooted, one mini implant is enough.

When replacing multiple teeth in a row, we may place three or four mini implants to secure a bridge. To anchor dentures, we will place anywhere from 4 to 12 implants, depending on your anatomy and the type of denture you choose.

Every smile is unique. We’ll create a plan that gives you the best balance of strength, function, and comfort.

Yes, in many cases you can! In fact, same-day placement is something we do often. If there’s enough healthy bone after extraction, we can place a mini implant right away and stabilize it with a protective covering, which helps prevent micro-movement while it heals. This approach means you only go through one healing period instead of two, which speeds up your recovery and allows you to receive your final restoration sooner.

Many of the single-tooth mini implants we place (about 4-5 a week) are immediate placements. Of course, if the bone isn’t ready, we’ll need to wait before placing the implant. However, whenever possible, we love giving patients the convenience of same-day care!