Dental implants have revolutionised tooth replacement treatment over the last few years and we are delighted to offer both traditional and mini dental implants.
Dental implants are small prostheses, which are fixed into openings in the jaw bone to take on the role of the absent tooth root. Implants are made from titanium, which is a biocompatible material; this means that the implant is able to integrate into the bone tissue. Implants are very versatile tooth replacements because they fit with different types of restoration and this makes them an accessible treatment for patients with any number of missing teeth. Once the implant has integrated, the new restoration can be attached and the new tooth will work in exactly the same way as a natural tooth.
About mini implants
As the name suggests, mini implants are smaller versions of traditional dental implants. Mini implants are versatile like normal implants and they are also suitable for patients who lack bone mass and density in the jaw bone. These implants may be suitable for patients who have been advised against traditional implants or told that they may need bone grafting because they are more tolerable.
Implant-retained dentures
One common use of mini dental implants is to anchor a denture. Dentures are effective tooth replacements in their own right, but they do occasionally cause problems and implant-retained dentures are considered an excellent option for patients who may have experienced issues with the fit and function of traditional dentures in the past.
With implant-retained dentures, the dentures are secured by mini implants (or traditional implants), rather than the suction of the gums and this allows for greater bite power, enhanced comfort and a reduced risk of slipping, irritation and sore spots.
To find out more about dental implants, mini implants and our other restorative treatments and to see how mini implants could benefit you, call us and make an appointment today!
The mini implant is a dental implant that is exactly as it sounds – a smaller version of the normal sized implant. It was originally designed as a temporary measure to be removed at a later date and replaced by the full sized version. However, they were found to be useful in their own right, working especially well as a replacement for small teeth or incisors. Patients from Bath and surrounding areas have found the mini implant to be an excellent alternative to full implants.
If a patient’s x-ray shows bone loss then they normally require a bone graft before the implant is inserted. However, they may be reluctant to do so, either for reasons of age or health. If this is the case then a mini dental implant may be an acceptable choice instead. It is a solid although smaller form of implant and does not require the patient to undergo a bone graft beforehand.
The mini implant consists of a slim titanium rod that has a fixture which can be incorporated into a denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball and the retaining attachment contains a rubber ‘O-ring’ that acts like a socket. The O-ring holds the denture in place by snapping over the ball at the top of the implant. This enables the denture to rest nicely on top of the gum tissue.
The mini implant is placed in the jawbone but because of their limited height do not fuse easily with the jaw. However, they do last a long time and tend to be used as a means of stabilising the lower denture, especially in older patients. They are fast becoming a popular choice of implant for many patients who are uncomfortable with the thought of a full implant or are worried about the cost.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
