The mini dental implant is neat. It's a long thin titanium dental implant screw that treads itself into the jaw bone as it's turned. Titanium is a metal that human bone loves. Bone grows onto the surface of titanium and sticks firmly to its surface. The metal screw goes right through the gums and tissues straight into the jaw bone. This flapless method of placement helps prevent many of the problems associated with the trauma of placing traditional dental implants. The implants can then be used the same day they are placed.
The mini dental implant was originally used to temporarily hold old dentures in place while the real dental implants healed. It was thought that the titanium screw-like mini implant was too thin to be a long term option but time has proven it a great alternative to supporting loose ill fitting dentures. Essentially, the dentist creates immediate mini implant dentures using the head of the mini implant as the anchor rather than a real tooth. This is an alternative to the traditional type of implant supported dentures that are more costly and take a great deal more time.
A mini dental implant, in most cases, can be retrofitted to a patient's old denture. The mini dental implant screws are placed and a marking method is used to locate the head positions underneath the old denture. The mini implant dentist drills out some of the pink denture base acrylic over the implant heads and special attachments are placed into the denture that lock onto the implant heads. Four attachments are usually used with four implants in the anterior portion of the lower jaw. The implant heads hold the attachments firmly so that the denture is anchored in place.
Our dental group offers mini dental implant restorations to patients who are suffering with poor ill fitting dentures. It's a great option for patients on a limited budget since the cost of mini dental implant restoration is less than traditional dental implants.The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Dr. P loves being able to provide his patients with this alternative! If you are interested in a free dental implant consultation with our Atlanta implant dentist, Dr. Mark A Padolsky, to discuss your dental implant options, call 404-874-7428 to schedule your appointment. It's the first step in taking good care of yourself.