Losing teeth as an adult is nothing like losing them as a child. There’s no tooth fairy, no change under your pillow, and no new tooth coming to take its place. Fortunately, we can use dental implants to replace these missing teeth! By anchoring implants in your jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots, we provide support for artificial teeth to restore your smile. Thanks to their titanium design, dental implants are able to bond with your bone over time through a process known as osseointegration, forming an incredibly strong connection. However, traditional dental implants may not be the best solution for those looking to avoid invasive procedures and high costs. For our patients, West Wind Dental recommends using mini implants instead! These implants are much less invasive, more affordable, and just as secure as their traditional counterparts.
Mini Implants vs. Traditional Implants
Traditional dental implants are titanium screws made of multiple components, typically held together by an implant screw.
In general, these implants are large, around 5 millimeters in diameter, and require a substantial amount of jawbone for support. Unfortunately, most patients with missing teeth lack the necessary jawbone mass, as tooth loss is a direct cause of jawbone loss. Without ample jaw structure, patients must undergo additional procedures to rebuild lost bone. However, treatments like bone grafts and sinus lifts add to the cost and length of your procedure.
In contrast, mini dental implants are one-piece and have a small diameter of less than 3 millimeters. Thanks to their slim design, these implants fit even in minimal bone structure, reducing the need for bone augmentation!
Additionally, the design of mini implants offers numerous benefits for patients like you, including:
Minimally invasive: Thanks to the one-piece design and small diameter of mini implants, we can use a minimally invasive placement process! This procedure doesn’t require any incisions or large drills, as only a small pilot hole is necessary to place your implant.- Fast healing: A minimally invasive procedure also results in a significantly shorter healing period. Our gentle placement approach preserves much of the bone surrounding your implant, facilitating faster healing and less post-operative discomfort.
- Immediately secure: Mini dental implants begin the osseointegration process as soon as they’re in your jaw. Due to their quick healing time and unique threaded design, these implants support a temporary crown, bridge, or denture on the same day they are placed.
- More affordable: With only one component to pay for, fewer placement appointments, and a simpler placement method, mini implants are much less expensive than their conventional counterparts. With mini implants, you can restore your smile on a budget!
Understanding the Mini Implant Placement Process
The mini dental implant process is simple, as we use a minimally invasive placement procedure.
At West Wind Dental, we always begin with a free consultation. During this appointment, we will discuss your goals, examine your smile, and take comprehensive 3D X-rays to assess the quality of your jawbone. With these X-rays, we’re able to determine if you have enough bone to support a mini dental implant.
If you’re eligible, we’ll craft a custom treatment plan for your smile and schedule your placement appointment.
Before your procedure begins, we’ll provide you with a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. For those who experience dental anxiety, we also offer safe and effective sedation options to help you through your procedure!
Once you’re numb, we’ll create a small pilot hole in your gums and jawbone. After gently screwing the mini implant in place, it will immediately begin the stabilization process. Remarkably, these implants are strong enough to support a temporary restoration immediately after placement, restoring your smile in just one day.
Restore Your Smile With Mini Implants in Idaho Falls!
Losing your teeth as an adult isn’t as fun as when you were a kid. However, tooth loss isn’t a lost cause. With mini implants, the team at West Wind Dental can replace your missing teeth in one appointment! Book your free consultation today to learn if you’re eligible for mini dental implants.
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