Mini-dental implants are FDA-approved devices that help patients who wear dentures enjoy more comfortable lives and eat more robust and hardy diets.  Mini-dental implants are not replacements for cosmetic dental implants, but they do offer specific value to those individuals who for whatever reason or another do not feel ready to get dental implants, or who choose to remain with dentures.  The stabilizing power of an MDI can go a long way in restoring a much better frame of mind to someone who heretofore has been absolutely miserable with his or her dentures and seen little, if any, light at the end of the tunnel.

Mini-dental implant consists of miniature titanium implants that act like tooth roots.  Retaining fixtures attach these MDIs to the base of the dentures.  Because the head of each implant is ball-shaped, the retaining fixture acts as a socket of sorts that has within it a rubber O-ring.  This O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated.  This holds the denture at a pre-determined level of force. 

Mini implants were invented to stabilize the lower denture.  It is estimated that 50,000,000 Americans are missing teeth.  On a daily basis, these individuals greatly suffer as they struggle with their dentures.  Many feel tremendous discomfort and pain due to low or poorly fitting dentures. 

Also, these people tend to become very shy in public.  Dentures trap food and will cause bad breath.  People many times feel very embarrassed to be around those they love the most. 

Such issues can be handled with mini-dental implants.  Throughout the world, denture patients have reported feeling great relief from loose dentures.  Through the help of a good cosmetic dentist, mini-dental implants can stabilize dentures and help the patient begin an entirely new chapter of confidence and joy in his or her life.

Cosmetic Dentists recommend mini implants when dentures need support.  When solid bony adaptation, or integration, has clearly occurred, mini-dental implants work as long-term support structures rather than medium term support structures.  Many MDIs have successfully lasted for decades in patient jaws.  Over the past several years, many cosmetic dentists have used mini implants for single tooth replacements and supports for crowns and bridges.

They are screwed into the lower jaw with a minimal degree of discomfort to the patient.  Cosmetic dentists typically apply mild anesthetic to keep the patient from feeling pain.  MDIs are generally the size of wooden toothpicks can easily be positioned with this method.  Normally, they are placed about five millimeters apart in the jaw. 

The dentist then carefully adjusts the lower denture to snap it into place over the four mini implants.   it This creates a very tight-fitting, completely reliable stabilizing factor that lets a person speak and eat with an whole new level of confidence.

Due to the fact that this is such a non-invasive procedure, patients quite frequently will eat a light meal just hours after placement of MDIs.  Lifestyle changes are not required.  The presence of mini-dental implants does not prevent a person from removing his or her dentures, either.   Just a bit of practice is all it takes to snap them in and out of position when necessary.  

 

Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont and Midland Texas to see Dr Dale Brant or Dr. Charles Campbell for their cosmetic denistry services.