There are so many tooth replacement options at your disposal, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Traditional restorations like dentures and bridges are common replacement methods. However, these restorations tend to loosen over time, causing major functional issues. Regular, or conventional, dental implants create a more stable solution, as they anchor your crown, bridge, or denture restorations to your jawbone. Interestingly, mini dental implants do the same, but with a variety of additional advantages due to their sleek design. So, with all of these options at their disposal, patients like you are often left with one question: Are mini implants as good as regular implants?
At Bivona Family Dental, we take the time to go over questions with you, ensuring that you make an informed decision that best serves your needs.
Conventional Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants
Conventional dental implants have been in use for a very long time, while mini implants have had a shorter, but still significant, period of success. Despite both implants being effective, they serve different purposes based on individual patient needs.
Structural Design
The biggest difference between the two implants lies in their size and structure. Conventional dental implants have a diameter of approximately 5 millimeters. This size requires ample jawbone structure to stabilize, making many patients ineligible for dental implant treatment.
In contrast, mini implants are less than 3 millimeters in diameter, allowing them to fit in smaller spaces with less bone.
Additionally, a mini dental implant is a single, solid piece of titanium. On one end of the implant lies the part that supports your restoration, and the other end is the screw that embeds into your jaw. With regular implants, these parts are sold separately.
Typically, a conventional implant consists of at least three parts: the body, the abutment (or connector piece), and the screw that holds everything together. Due to their multi-piece design, regular implants are more expensive and require multiple placement appointments over several months.
Placement Method
The regular implant placement process is relatively invasive, requiring an incision and a series of large drills.
A mini dental implant, on the other hand, is less invasive due to its smaller size! These small titanium posts don’t require any incisions or large drills. Instead, we create a small pilot hole in your jawbone and secure the implant in place during a single appointment.
While small-diameter implants may not work for every case, there are versions of mini dental implants with a traditional diameter that stabilize in cases of softer bone.
If you’re interested in learning which type of implant is best for you, book a free consultation! During this appointment, we’ll perform a 3D scan to assess your specific needs and determine the most suitable implant for your situation.
Affordable Price
Conventional dental implants are notorious for their hefty price tag. Fortunately, mini implants are usually much more affordable, at almost half the price!
This price difference is due to the following cost-effective benefits:
- Fewer appointments: At Bivona Family Dental, we place these titanium posts in a single appointment. With no healing period necessary between parts, we can secure your smile in just one day.
- Fewer components: Mini implants feature a unique one-piece design that eliminates the need to purchase separate implant parts. Instead, you pay for only one piece of sturdy titanium!
- Simpler procedure: Thanks to their design and minimally invasive procedure, mini dental implants typically don’t require any additional procedures before treatment. This saves patients both time and money.
Are Mini Implants as Good as Regular Implants? Yes!
With numerous advantages over their conventional counterparts, a mini implant is often the superior tooth replacement choice. These implants cost less while remaining just as effective as conventional implants. If you’ve been wondering if mini implants are as good as regular implants, visit Bivona Family Dental for a free consultation! We’ll answer all of your questions and help you find the right implant for your smile.
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