Dental Implants in Harrisburg, NC

Is tooth loss preventing you from chewing normally, eating the foods you love, or speaking confidently? If missing teeth are significantly impacting your life, you’re not alone. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Whether you are missing one tooth or many or are looking to stabilize a bridge or denture, dental implants can help. Dr. David Ney, DDS, uses revolutionary mini implants to permanently restore your smile in as little as one day.

Dental implants are metal posts that screw into your jawbone and attach to a prosthetic tooth or appliance. While traditional implants have served dentistry well, mini implants provide better and quicker outcomes for a greater number of patients.

Traditional Dental Implants: The Conventional Option

Size and Design

Dental Implants in Harrisburg Implant Dentist David P. Ney, DDSA traditional dental implant has three components: the metal screw, the abutment (or connecting piece), and the artificial tooth. A conventional implant measures approximately 3.25-6 mm in diameter, making it a stable but cumbersome device.

Procedure

The procedure for placing traditional implants may involve bone grafting. Due to the size of the implant, patients with insufficient jawbone volume or density may need to undergo a bone grading procedure before the implants can be placed. During this oral surgery, bone from elsewhere in your body or from a tissue bank is transplanted into your jawbone to add structure.

Bone grafting prolongs the time it takes to restore your smile because of the healing time required. Once your jawbone is healed, which can take months, the conventional implants can be placed. The placement itself takes about one or two hours, depending on your specific needs, and involves making an incision into the gum to expose the jawbone. After holes are drilled into the jaw, the screws can be placed.

Because a traditional implant needs to fully fuse to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, you’ll need to wait several months before the abutment is connected and the artificial crown or prosthetic is secured. In the meantime, you’ll be given a temporary crown or denture.

Recovery

With the various phases required of traditional implants, recovery is prolonged over several months. Placing traditional implants is also a more invasive procedure than mini implants. As a result, you can expect your recovery to take longer with the conventional option.

Mini Dental Implants: The Modern Solution

Mini dental implants provide the same function as traditional implants—permanently replacing missing teeth—but they come with significant benefits that make them the better option for many patients.

Smaller Size and Simplified Design

The length of a mini implant is the same as a traditional implant, but it is significantly smaller in diameter, measuring less than 3 mm. The smaller size offers significant advantages. Mini implants are more suitable for replacing smaller teeth like an incisor or premolar. Also, because of the smaller size, bone grafting isn’t needed. Mini implants provide a solution to missing teeth for patients with narrower jawbones who may have been ineligible for traditional implants. If you experience dental anxiety, eliminating the need for additional surgery is an important consideration.

Unlike the two-piece design of a traditional implant, the mini implant has just one component. The titanium screw has a ball on one end, and the prosthetic tooth attaches to it with a rubber O-ring.

Less Invasive Procedure

Owing to the smaller size and simplified design of mini implants, the procedure to place them is less invasive. This means you’ll be more comfortable both during and after the implantation. On the day of your procedure, Dr. Ney will apply a local anesthetic to numb your gum and jaw, though oral conscious sedation is available if dental procedures cause you anxiety. We can discuss this at your complimentary consultation. If you do require additional anesthesia, you’ll need to arrive at your appointment a bit earlier and arrange for someone to drive you home.

When placing a mini implant, Dr. Ney will make a minor incision in your gum and drill a small hole in your jaw to hold the post. He’ll insert, tighten, and secure the implant before immediately mounting the crown, bridge, or denture. In many instances, the entire procedure can take place in a single visit.

Quick Recovery

The quick recovery time after a mini implant procedure offers a significant advantage over traditional alternatives. Most patients take only 24-48 to heal, though recovery time can vary depending on the number of implants needed and if any other procedures are performed, such as an extraction before implantation.

Dental Implants in Harrisburg Implant Dentist David P. Ney, DDS

Benefits of Mini Implants

The many advantages of mini dental implants make them an excellent option for those looking to replace missing teeth, especially when compared to conventional implants. The benefits of mini implants include:

  • Smaller size
  • Less invasive procedure
  • Immediate results
  • Shorter recovery
  • Cost-effective

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants safely and effectively replace missing teeth, solving a wide range of dental problems. You may benefit from dental implants if:

  • You want to replace one or more missing teeth.
  • You’d like to install a permanent denture or bridge with two or more implants.
  • You are frustrated by your loose dentures or unsecured bridge and are looking for a more stable alternative.

In some cases, dental implants are not recommended. You may not be eligible for dental implants if:

  • You smoke
  • You have gum, vascular, or bone disease
  • You have a blood clotting disorder (hemophilia)
  • You are receiving chemotherapy or radiation
  • You take certain medications
  • You have oral hygiene concerns
  • You have significant tooth decay
  • You are under the age of 18 (since your jawbone is still developing)

At your consultation, we’ll evaluate your needs and customize a treatment plan that fits your dental goals.

Prevent Bone Loss with Dental Implants

Not only do dental implants provide a highly-effective solution to transform your smile and restore function to your bite, but they also prevent bone loss. When you lose a tooth, the root can no longer stimulate the jawbone, leading to deterioration of the jawbone over time. As your jawbone shrinks, you are more likely to experience facial collapse, which alters your appearance and compromises your health. The dental implant acts as a root, providing the stimulation the jawbone needs through biting and chewing.

Financing Your Dental Implants

Patients are naturally worried that the price of their dental work will prevent them from getting the treatment they need. Mini dental implants, however, are much more cost-effective than traditional implants since they are smaller and use less material. They are also easier to place, eliminating the need for multiple visits, which can be costly.

At our office, we partner with three dental financing companies to ensure that you will be able to afford your needed dental care. CareCredit, LendingClub, and Ally offer flexible monthly payment options, with many plans including 0% introductory rates.

Regain Your Bite with Dental Implants

If gaps in your smile are holding you back, Dr. David Ney, DDS, can help. With mini dental implants, Dr. Ney can quickly restore your bite and enhance your smile. Voted one of Charlotte’s Best Dentists, Dr. Ney has the experience and expertise to place your dental implants with care and precision. Schedule your free consultation today to begin your journey to a radiant new smile.