When you hear the term “mini dentures,” you might picture a tiny set of teeth, like those chattering toys with the little feet that we play with as children. But in reality, mini dentures are the next evolution of tooth replacement technology. Mini dentures are a full set of teeth that we firmly secure to your jaw through mini dental implants. Regular dentures will lose their fit and begin to slip and slide in your mouth over time, causing a depreciation in your oral health and quality of life. Implant dentures secured by mini dental implants will solve all of those issues in an effective, reliable, and affordable way.
What Are Mini Dental Implants?
Mini dental implants are small, titanium screws designed to replace the root of a tooth and provide a stable base for a single crown, an anchor for a dental bridge, or a foundation for a set of dentures. They are about half the diameter of traditional dental implants, making them ideal for patients with less jawbone density. Despite their smaller size, they offer equal stability and strength to their larger counterparts.
These slimmer implants are increasingly favored for several reasons. Their less invasive placement procedure, quicker recovery time, and affordability make them an attractive option for many. We can even use them to stabilize your existing loose dentures, providing a much more secure fit that improves the function and comfort of older dental prosthetics.
Advantages of Mini Dental Implants
Dr. Ney prefers mini dental implants over conventional implants thanks to the advantages that the smaller implants present:
- Minimally invasive procedure: With a diameter of less than 3 mm, mini dental implants require less invasive placement than traditional implants. This translates to reduced discomfort during and after the procedure.
- Faster healing: Traditional implants can take 6-9 months to heal completely. Mini implants will heal in 2-3 months or less, allowing you to receive your final custom restoration more quickly.
- Impressive durability: Made from titanium and with a sleek, single-piece design, mini implants provide a solution for tooth loss that can last a lifetime. They are designed to withstand the daily forces of chewing, bringing back the full functionality of natural teeth.
- Affordability: Mini implants are cost-effective because they require less healing time and fewer appointments. Their simpler design and quicker procedure make them much more affordable than traditional implants.
Types of Mini Dentures
Mini implant dentures come in several options, each with a different level of stability and functionality:
- Snap-on dentures: This prosthetic looks and acts more like traditional dentures than the others. It has a smaller pink acrylic base that snaps onto 4-6 mini implants for added stability and is removable for cleaning.
- Fix-on-Six dentures: The next two options do not have a pink plastic base, only durable zirconia teeth. They’re known as roundhouse bridges, and they still replace all your teeth by attaching to mini implants. The Fix-on-Six system uses 6-10 implants for stability. However, it is only removable by a dentist like Dr. Ney for professional cleaning.
- Permanent dentures: These are the most durable, stable, functional option available. We attach this roundhouse bridge onto 10-12 mini implants, and it’s the closest option to the look and feel of your natural teeth that we can offer.
What About Traditional Dentures?
Traditional dentures, the tried-and-true solution for tooth replacement, are no longer the gold standard. That’s because they come with several drawbacks that you have to consider. Conventional dentures don’t look or feel very natural, their bulky plastic base changes how you taste food, and they’re subject to damage or loss. But their biggest problem is that they do nothing to replace your missing tooth roots.
By not replacing your tooth roots, older dentures do nothing to stop the jawbone deterioration that occurs after tooth loss. This bone resorption will change your face’s shape and ultimately change how your dentures fit. Your dentures will begin to slip and slide around inside your mouth as their fit loosens, making eating, speaking, and even smiling more challenging. This will also cause soreness and irritation, not to mention the frustration of not knowing when your teeth will move unexpectedly. If you want to stop this deterioration and stabilize your loose dentures, the only solution is with the help of dental implants.
Schedule Your Mini Dentures Consultation Today
Ready to explore the benefits of mini dental implants or mini dentures further? Contact Dr. Ney, the Dental Guy, to schedule your free implant consultation. Let us help you take the first step towards a confident, functional, and beautiful smile with mini dental implants.
