Mini Implants vs. Traditional Implants: Which is Better?

Dealing with missing teeth? Well, the good news is that you can restore your smile in many different ways!

A common procedure used to replace missing teeth is dental implants. Since they are permanent and look just like regular teeth, it’s easy to see why so many patients ultimately opt for this type of restoration.

But did you know there are two dental implants? While most are likely familiar with the traditional implant, there is an alternative that may also be able to restore your smile: mini dental implants.

Keep on reading to understand the differences between the two!

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth made up of 3 elements:

• The metal post
• Abutment
• Dental crown

The metal post gets inserted into the jaw and mimics the function of a natural tooth root. It holds the dental crown firmly in place and helps protect jawbone health by stimulating the area every time you apply pressure to it during chewing.

Once you get a metal post inserted, you’ll need to wait around 4-6 months or longer before you can get the abutment and dental crown attached. This is due to the osseointegration process, a slow process where the bone and surrounding tissue heal and fuse around the implant.

So this is the traditional dental implant. But how are mini implants any different?

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Mini dental implants are smaller than traditional dental implants, which is why they can be used successfully to restore the smile of people who’ve suffered jaw bone mass loss. Moreover, these implants don’t require abutments to connect the metal post to the dental crowns.

As a result, mini implants often make way for a simpler and even less invasive procedure. Also, they're more affordable.

Which Is Better?

Generally, traditional dental implants tend to outperform their small counterparts. Mini implants have less support from the jawbone because the post is significantly small. A traditional post needs healthy jaw bone mass so that the implant can be fully inserted into it and serve as a stable foundation for the entire prosthetic tooth.

Moreover, mini dental implants might not be a good solution for patients dealing with tooth grinding, as they can wear down a lot faster as a result.

Even if you are dealing with jawbone loss, you may still be able to get a traditional implant. To do it, you will need a bone graft surgery first, which will restore your jawbone and make it ready to support a dental implant.

Restore Your Smile with Thrive Family Dental

Want to learn if you’re a good candidate for dental implants? Dr. Ben Friberg is happy to help you find out! Based on a thorough oral assessment, he can recommend the best course of action to restore your smile.

Book a dental implant consultation at Thrive Family Dental now!