Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants: What’s the Difference?

Losing teeth can be traumatic, both physically and mentally. However, dental implants can permanently restore your smile and give you back the confidence and functionality that comes with a full set of teeth.

Modern dentistry offers two main types of dental implants—conventional dental implants and mini dental implants. But what is the difference? This comparison will you give a better idea about these restorative solutions for tooth loss. Of course, for detailed answers about your specific situation, simply call your oral health experts in Little Rock, Arkansas Family Dental.

Specifications

Conventional dental implants are around 4-5 mm in diameter, while mini implants measure 2.5 mm in diameter. This difference means that mini implants are usually ideal for front tooth replacement, and the larger implants are a great choice to replace molars.
Titanium alloy is the most common material for both dental implants and mini dental implants because this metal is extremely durable and not prone to irritate human tissue. After all, both types of dental implants are designed to be permanent.

Placement

The variance in size between the two implants types is also important when it comes to surgical placement. Mini implant placement is less invasive than conventional implant surgery and does not require your dentist to drill as deep. So, patients who may have suffered bone loss beneath their gums and cannot receive conventional implants may still be good candidates for mini implants.

While mini implant surgery is minimally invasive, complications can still occur. Your dentist will make every effort to minimize risk, but you can help with these good practices:

• Diligent oral care at home, such as daily brushing and flossing.
• Keeping any scheduled dental appointments both before and after your implant placement.
• Following a soft diet after your procedure, as instructed by your dentist
• Immediately notifying your dentist of any persistent pain, signs of infection, and other problems.
• Refraining from smoking.

Implant-Secured Dentures

Mini implants are the type of choice for use with implant-secured dentures. If you wear dentures, you do not need a multitude of mini implants to replace every individual tooth. Rather, you can have the convenience and secure fit of implant-secured dentures.
These dentures are anchored in your mouth by mini dental implants. Typically, your dentist will use just four mini implants to secure an entire arch of dentures. You will then have a set of natural-looking teeth that are not prone to slippage while eating or speaking.

Which One is Right for You?

The fact is that both types of implants have advantages. Only a qualified dentist can tell you which implants are right for you, based on an examination and assessment of your unique circumstances.

Interested in learning more about conventional or mini dental implants in Little Rock? Just contact your Arkansas Family dental dentist, and we will be happy to arrange an examination.