Mini Dental Implants: Extensive Debate
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Subscribe to this PostDr. Todd Shatkin provided OsseoNews.com with an exclusive interview about Mini Dental Implants. Read the first interview by clicking here. Read the second interview by clicking here Feel free to post your thoughts on this interview, by adding your comments below.
I had a mini implant done to my lower denture in August2006 and regret having it done. It cost over $3000. The bottom plate fits good but it made me have trouble with my top plate. It has given be trouble for the last year. I have gone back to my dentist but it has only gotten worse. I am at the point of not knowing what to do about it, but sometimes I think I might have the implants removed. I have trouble speaking and have pain all the time.
Dorothy – Why would you remove the implants on the lower if it fits and functions well? It is pretty clear that you need a reline on the upper or perhaps a new denture. It is not uncommon for sore spots to develop on the upper after implants are placed on the lower because now you can put biting pressure on the upper. Before, with a floating lower, the upper had no ability to get a good bite. At this point I don’t think it would do you any good to remove the lower implants in an attempt to fix your upper denture. Just get the upper stable.
Lisa – $4000 to secure the lower is fair depending on where you live. Prices vary widely in different parts of the country for most dental services. A sinus lift for implant retained upper denture is not usually needed because the six mini implants needed can be placed forward of the sinus in most cases. I have seen cases, however, and you may be one of them, where a sinus lift is necessary even for mini implant retention. Good luck.
Ken,
Excellent comments and answers to these interesting questions! I agree with everything you said. I am happy to help answer any questions that any patients have about the Mini Implant Systems or procedures.
Best,
Todd
Todd – thanks for the kind words. Hope you’re doing well. I too have switched to the MDL implants for the most part. Spent this past weekend in Tulsa discussing techniques and procedures with a dentist who has some interesting variations on the fixed mini implant denture replacement theme. I love where this whole scene is heading right now. Keep the faith! Ken
Is a rebase for a top denture better than a reline after having a mini implant done on my bottom denture? This is what my dentist wants to do to stablize my top denture. He does not do relines only rebase.
Dorothy – A rebase IS better than a reline. It completely replaces all the pink acrylic in your old denture with all new acrylic, leaving only the teeth unchanged. Some research now shows that within 5 years your old denture acrylic has so many microbes and “stuff” imbedded in the acrylic that complete cleaning is impossible. Also, the old acrylic becomes more brittle and prone to breakage with time. Your dentist probably charges more for a rebase because it costs more than a reline, but I completely agree with his decision to quit doing relines unless it is on a nearly new denture which needs modification to achieve perfect fit. Go with the rebase asap. Good luck and happy eating!
It came to my knowledge that a new mini dental implant is in the market from Intra-Lock (MDL). I want to know if it is FDA approved for long term use like the IMTEC. Thanks
The MDL is FDA approved and Inta-Lock will be one of the major players in the implant world in the next few years. Their mini implant has been on the market for several years and has several geometries that address bone density/quality.
I would like to know what % (of course estimate)the mini implants can replace the normal size implants for single-tooth replacement. I know this is a case by case basis, but I hope that the more experienced practioners would have the best estimates. As for full overdenture, I think it is more common to replace the normal size implant anchors with mini-implants, am I correct?
Hello Dr.
I have been reading your comment and live in LA area. I would like to go to see you for consultation for the “Mini Implant” upper & lower.
Please e-mail me your office information.
My current doctor won’t discuss yet about my alternatives. He said that bone has to heal first. But I heard and want to have it now to reduce the plastic palate on upper and it is possible ( I read many web…)
Also when I do lower, I want mini on same day.
Please contact me.
Thank you,
May
I have a question and just hoping someone can help.
I was going to get a tooth extracted due to the pain and replace it with a implant. However, I do not have money for the implant now, so would it possible to get an implant, say 2 or 3 months after the tooth is extracted?
Thank you for your time and help.
DC
dear DC the info you give us in inadequate for anyone to give u a responsible answer.1)what exactly is the reason ur tooth will be extracted?(pain is too vague)2)does the area show any sign of inflamation?(swelling,puss,bleeding)still,to give u a first,vague idea,yes u can wait about 2-3 months after the extraction to place the implant,if the area is “clean” u could have it done at the same time.In signs of infection waiting is a MUST.u need to give the bone some time to regenerate and clean completely after the extraction of an infected tooth.i would be intersted on any feedback from u,take care
I have been reading about “mini implants” on many different sites. Most seem to only recommend them for lower dentures. I am interested in them for my upper dentures. I currently have lower teeth. I am 50 and have had uppers for 28 years, I am concerned about bone loss on the upper jaw and want to know if the mini’s would be a good option. The surgury looks less extensive and the healing time appears to be much shorter. Thank you for any help.
Peggie – Assuming you still have some decent bone, upper implant retained dentures work great in my experience. You will need six of them, approximate cost in the neighborhood of $5000, may need a new denture as well if your existing one is very old. After implants, the denture will be palateless, u-shaped like your lower. Food tastes better! Another option available from a few dentists at this point would be to place 10 to 12 implants and completely replace your denture with a one piece fixed bridge. Not removable, you clean it with Hydrofloss and a toothbrush. Looks and feels much like real teeth. See other comments on this site by Dr. Shatkin and others. This is sometimes called a “roundhouse” case. Much more expensive, but a terrific solution.
Please consider the angulation of the maxilla before suggesting and inadequate prosthesis for a complex situation. Maxillary reconstruction is not solved with individual attachments on the implants. You can get away with it on the lower, however it is a maintainace nightmare because you are replacing the o-rings or the locators often and I’m sure you like your dentists but you do not want to see him every 3 months. And if you recommend locators or individual attachments which will not draw in the maxilla on six or even 4 implants, treatment planning the case is critical and quoting 5000 for your maxillary case is unethical without seeing your situation. I have seen more drs get themselves into situations that they cannot get out of because they do not have a prosthetic design in mind and just quote fees randomly. Remember every case is different and there is never and indication where you can place 6 implants in the maxilla for 5000 and get a prosthesis that is acceptable. A cast bar or milled bar or a fixed prosthesis on 8 implants is the way to go for a maxilla with sufficient bone and it does not cost 5000. It is much more than that. Dr Willardsen
Mini implants are not indicated for any situation. Place 2 to 4 permanent implants and be done with it. Mini implants are a temporary implant and should not be used for permanent implant treatment plans. Dr Willardsen
Dr Willardson- Interesting. I’m being unethical for telling a patient what I charge for six mini implants to retain an existing full upper denture. Did I suggest full prosthetic reconstruction? Do YOU know she needs it without without a full diagnosis? Have YOU ever placed a mini implant and retained a denture with it? Do YOU have to replace the o-rings every three months? How much do you charge for it? I find I seldom need to replace them in less than a year if the patient has decent oral hygiene, and I do if free as part of our service. Takes my assistant around five minutes, costs me a few bucks for the rings. Full implants, bars, long waits for healing, sounds like fun to me. I will continue to provide ETHICAL affordable solutions for my patients. I don’t want to get into a fight with the prosthedontists to whom I do refer appropriate cases, so I don’t see why you want to question my ethics and integrity. Good luck to you anyway. Dr. Ken Clifford
Dr Willardson – By the way, I use I-cat scans before placing maxillary implants, do you? If you do not believe mini implants for denture retention are for long-term use, take it up with the FDA and see if you can get them to change their recommendations, but don’t take it out on those of us in the real world of dentistry who need to help those who need us.
Well, I’d certainly be willing to put myself in the hands of Dr. Clifford. It appears he is working in the best interests of his patients and NOT solely in the best interests of his stock portfolio. That’s what I call ethical!
I use cat scans on every maxillary case I tx plan, I see two to three patients a day who have been treated with mini implants and are unsatisfied with the retention of the prosthesis or the implants have failed or fractured. I have used many mini implants for temporary retention since MTI Mini Transitional Implants where introduced in 1999, while my permanent implants are healing. If you needed and implant retained or supported prosthesis would you want mini implants in your mouth. Hanging your hat on mini implants is very dangerous and they are just a stepping stone for general dentists to ultimately realize that they can serve their patients better with implants that the parts and pieces can be changed and a prosthesis can be fabricated. A custom prosthesis that is specifically made for the patient. Keep up the good work, and I am glad you are having success. Dr John Willardsen, DDS
Actually I had two MDL implants in my own mouth two months ago to replace tooth #4. The dentist, who is very experienced with minis and uses the I-cat, placed two in this area at my request because I have a very heavy bite. There was plenty of room to “stagger” two 2.5mm by 15mm MDLs. We used composite resin around the implant heads to compensate for the non-parallel arrangement, then fabricated in the lab a composite resin crown and polished it prior to cementation with flowable composite. So yes, I do put my reputation where my mouth is – so far, so good. Two months out, no pain, no radiographic evidence of problems, stabile, I chew everything and forget the implant(s) are there. Of course, I have to wait 5 or 10 years before I can brag about the results, but it does seem to me to be OK for me to provide this service to my patients right now. If a mini fails, there is minimal bone loss and a standard implant is still very possible. If a standard implant fails, usually much bone is also lost and augmentation will be required before before replacement. Anyway Dr. Willardson, I am sorry I took offense at your comment on ethics. I have looked at your web site and I see that we both went to Loma Linda and have the best interest of our patients at heart. Good luck to you and your three practices. You are a better man than I to be able to handle that volume of work. Hope you have an associate!
Good Forum. I had a rear lower molar replaced three years ago (2 mini implants) and my regular dentist is amazed at the long term sucess potential. At 62 with many extractions I find these implants offer a much better solution to missing teeth IF a qualified implant Dentist determines that your bone thickness and density at the site are appropriate! Cost is certainly a factor but the non-invasive procedure and time factors are the major reasons to at least pay an implant specialist for an evaluation!
NB: As a Canadian I really have to go to the USA for this treatment option.
Mr. Cressman – Really glad to hear of your successful treatment from a patient standpoint. Your good experience may help many other potential patients to at least check out the potential of minimally invasive small diameter implants before rejecting the option out of hand on the advice of dentists who haven’t even studied the subject. Thanks for the input.
i tried osteocare system
i used mini and maxiz types
for many patients about 74 cases
one of them is 70 male for 5 years till now
it is amazing and perfect
I have had great success with IMTEC-Sendax MDI for both fixed and removable use. Yes, some implants do fail but there are so many other benefits that I would even choose an MDI in my mouth over a larger diameter conventional implant like Dr. Clifford has done. MDI’s do work well and I find it strange that if there are so many reports and publications of their success that there are still so many objections by dentists. They have such a wide range of applications that in my opinion every dentist that places implants should add the MDI to their armamentarium.
I haven’t seen an age for mini single tooth implant. My 11 yr old child recently had a front top tooth removed due to trauma. My dentist has him wearing a flipper and says he will have to wear it til his mid teens. Is a mini implant a good option for a young child
Sam,
We place the mini implants (MDL System distributed by Samuel Shatkin FIRST, LLC) on children as young as 14 years of age. Prior to that you should use a temporary replacement in my opinion. Thanks for visiting this blog on mini implants and I welcome you to visit our websites for more information and to find a dentist near you who can help your daughter.
Thanks!
I had one of my rear molars extracted approximately 2 years ago. Foolishly, because I work long hours (and because you cannot really see the tooth), I never had a bridge or implant installed in the area. I know that this board cannot give me empirically accuracte advice without examining me, but as a general rule, will bone grafting likely be necessary before I am a candidate for an implant? If it helps, I am a healthy 33 year old who has otherwise flawless teeth and other than this tooth, have not had a cavity or other dental issues in more than a decade.
Also, can anyone recommend a good MDI Doctor in New York City?
Thanks.
-Dave
CLARIFICATION:
IT IS A BOTTOM MOLAR.
more info on mini denture implants
I would like to inform all of you that we will be releasing a book at the end of february beggining of march that will cover a great deal of information on mini implants and socket preservation.
The name is “Mini Dental Implants an Alternative, Socket Preservation a Necessity”
The controversy read in this blog was considered and we tried to provide some answers to so many questions, of course, we are way far from having all the answers.
The idea is to promote the safe and ethical practice of mini implants in dentistry and to cover each and every aspect related to socket preservation.
The idea is to create awareness of the importance of preserving the sockets and the performance of atraumatic extractions to be able to perform better implant dentistry on a nicer ridge.
That would create a nice trancision for a dr that only places minis and wants to place other implants.
We mention different techniques for fixed and removable mini implant placement and different techniques for socket preservation.
This book in full color and hard cover is a multinational effort with Drs from different countries, foreword by Dr Linkow and Dr Kenneth Judy; we are editting the english since i wrote it in spanish (spanish version will also be available in february).The money generated by this book (if any)has entirely been donated to a charity in my hometown in colombia to educate street kids so you will be making a contribution by adquiring it. It has been written in a very simple language and using simple terminology, it is an invitation to do things right if you decide using minis..
Hello everyone, I am a 21 year old college student and I am interested in mjni implants I think. Bare with me as =, I am no dentist so will probably explain things wrong. I have a small baby tooth on the right side of one of my two front teeth (the adult one is impacted in the roof of my mouth, but I’m told that, though it would be difficult, it could be extracted). My smile is great right now, but I’m told that the baby tooth has some decay around it – I brush regularly, use mouthwash and floss (not as often as I should but I do). I am going to get a filling (or a crown if needed) I think, but I was wondering if it would be smarter to have the tooth removed and to use a mini implant? I am very scared about doing too much too it, because, as I stated, it is in the very front of my mouth, and I do promo modeling- I can’t have a big space like that. Any info or opinion given would be greatly appreciated. I can send a picture also.
Liyah, If you can save your natural tooth in good health and good aesthetics, that is the right choice. If you are losing the tooth for any reason, the implant is the best replacement for the tooth. I would not jump the gun on placing the implant unless you had to or the dentist recommended it.
I suppose but, I don’t want it to cause problems later when it will be much more inconvenient to get it fixed. I will be in residency in about 2.5 years (when I finish my degree in BioPsych: Premed track), and I won’t have time for it then
Phil Cressman, Male, aged 62 with dental problems most of my life due to enamel problems (identical twin)
I recently lost a tooth that was supporting a bridge and my dentist, Ontario, Canada recommended an implant. Since mini-implants are not normally done in Canada for tooth replacements (only denture stabalization) I contacted Dr. Tood Shatkin in Buffalo, NY.
Had a visit for evaluation & Dr Shatkin recommended two implants to support a two tooth crown. Without going into costs as every case is different I do believe my treatment was about 50% the price of having conventional implants placed in Ontario. The really big savings is in terms of pain & suffering.
When I returned for the implants Dr Shatkin was working for only about 30 minutes (aside from freezing etc) and the results were great. (Crown had been fabricated from moulds taken at the time of my first consultation.)
Actually ate dinner a few hours later & only minor
soreness for a few days. It has been only one week & I have to return for a check up but HIGHLY RECOMMEND at least looking into mini-implants as a potential alternative to conventional dental implants with associated surgery. (In my case a sinus lift would have been performed if conventional implants were to be used)
Just wanted to let folks know I had mini’s put in to hold a partial on,with minis under the right side and a clasp on the left side.I love the mini’s they seem real tough.Before I had a clasp partial;it was useless it would not stay put and food constantly got under it.For all practical purposes the partial was useless.Now I have a partial that works and is almost like having teeth again.I also have an overbite.The minis(two) hold the partial well and there seems to be no occlusion problem.Best of all it was affordable for me.Best Wishes,Henry
So I would like some help from the doctors or even patients on this board and I will try to keep this as short as possible.
I am a 48 yr old male with horrible teeth. I have been fighting to not have them all removed for 4 years now, but I now have only 9 left. I have partials up top and down below. I went to see a “prominent” well known female doctor here in the Atlanta area about a year or so ago. To get what I guess is the surgical screws done with the 6-9 month wait would have been the price of a high end BMW with her and the surgeon. Last week I went to see a dentist who is advertising doing the MDI IMPLANT system. For 6 upper and 4 lower, extracting the remaining and making new uppers and lowers is a WHOLE heck of alot less.
My main questions are two fold. ONE with the uppers on the screw implants, there would have not been much if any “plastic” or whatever material you use for dentures for the top, and therefor the roof of my mouth would be, The roof of my mouth: not plastic as this partial is now. How much or little “material” is going to be on the top denture so that I taste my food a little more. And as far as food underneath, does food get under like it does my partials now if I do not use some type of paste or glue?
Second, I have read all the success rates from 90%-95% but are there people out here on this board or doctors who can talk to me about patients they have had who have had more than 1 or a few done and had maybe there whole mouth done that can tell me if they are happy with this procedure.
Sorry this is long but this is a mjor investment and I would rather do it right the first time and not pay twice, once for MDI and later for the screws
Thanks to all who have read this.
I have full dentures and am in need of new ones.
I have been approached by my new dentist to have MDI Implants in the new lower denture and my mouth. I am hearing different things about this and can not make up my mind. The cost is not an issue and can be worked out.
Can any user tell me about the comfort level with these implants. Any pain? How about infections after insertion or down the road? Problems with these metal prongs sticking up in your mouth? Any long time users out there?
Please help me if you can as I really need to to have all the facts first.
Thank you!
The back molar on my left was pulled years and years ago. I am now 51 and I don’t remember when it was pulled. The missing tooth had been “replaced” by a bridge supported by the adjacent two teeth, but the bridge recently failed. My dentist recommends an implant on the back molar to support the molar on the top side. I have been told that the implant procedure will cost $7-9,000, for the surgery implant and the crown, very little of which is covered by my insurance or health plan. Also the procedure will take around a year to complete. I am not too excited about this procedure, and frankly, I would rather spend this money on my kids’ college education. But then again, I would rather not lose my upper back molar (no lower support). Would I be a candidate for a mini implant?
Dear Terry,
Your upper left, referred to as the posterior Maxilla is no place for mini implants with diameters of 1.8-2.3 mm in diameter. As you can appreciate with these “very skinny” implants there can only be minimal thread depth and therefore some are the diameter of a “toothpick”. Mini-implants in the posterior Maxilla will more than likely result in disaster at a future date (much sooner than later). Do not follow any blogs that promote the useage of same in what is referred to as D-4 (D=Density) bone commonly found to have the density of Styrofoam or Balsa wood. Take into account that the posterior Maxilla is closer to the TMJ/hinge and the loading or biting force in the posterior jaw is approx 7-9 times that of the anterior (front of the mouth and further away from the TMJ/hinge) aspect of the Maxilla. The mini implants came out as transitional implants that were originally designed to provide for support of a prosthesis during an interim stage, while the large and appropriate diameter implants were integrating/healing. The transitional implants would then be removed at approx 4-8 months depending upon the density of bone, etc. The only place for mini-implants with a diameter of 2.3 mm or greater is in the anterior mandible, D-1, D-2 bone with the density of oak or solid pine (reference for comprebable density) under a complete denture and I would think twice before letting anybody place mini-implants in the back of the mouth. Please don’t let cost drive your decision. The once transitional implant has only recently received FDA approval for “long term use”. However, the FDA did not define long term use, other than to state that it was for more than 6 months. However, if we apply the rule of common sense then there is no way that a 1.8 or 2.3 mm implant can have deep threads to increase the BIC,(bone to implant contact). They simply aren’t big enough. Further, in implant dentistry the majority of the force is directed at the crest of the implant or for the first 7 mm from the top. Therefore, length is a minimal contributor to success. In very simple terms I believe that the good Lord gave us large roots in the back of the mouth due to the fact that the forces and bone density are much, much different then the front of the mouth. Also, please don’t let case reports or some dentist persuade you into something that every one of us who teach at academic levels and are part of science on daily basis persuade you into a still, in my opinion, experimental device with the greatest failure rate of any implant diameter on the market. There is a place for everything. However, the back of the mouth with forces of 150-250 lb PSI for the average male (up to 1,000 psi in a bruxer/grinder) is no place for mini-implants unless you want them to fail. Case studies are considered the lowest form of science evidence in our “Evidence Based” tree. Be careful as you are only 51 year of age and a properly placed and adequate size implant with proper occlusion may last you the rest of your life as the insurance tables say you and I will make 79-84 depending upon our current health. Best of luck, The mini implant is being marketed to dentist who are simply not comfortable with extensive surgeries such as sinus augmentations, chin grafts and growing bone to restore areas to the proper dimension to accept the adequate and proper size and design from a biomechanical and structural position.
Best of luck,
Duke Aldridge
DDS, MAGD, MICOI
Thank you so much for this information, Dr. Aldridge.
I would appreciate amy advice. I’m 55 y/o male, and already spent on dental around 40K in the past. It looks like I would have to redo most of my teeth. In short, after extraction of all remaining upper teeth, I would need 7-8 implants and 12 permanent crowns (bridge). I also need to redo crowns on lower jaw. My question is, can I have some of the implants done with mini implants? I had recently done 3 implants on the lower left at a cost of $1900.00 each, and after some internet research I now find a dentist office in New York City area (with five locations) that offers implants at $545.00 each. Can anyone explain the big difference? Is there a catch? I know you guys would not like your potential customers to go for treatment overseas, but since I was quoted 50K for the work needs to be done, I found dentists in Costa Rica, that would perform same for about 30% of the cost. Any advice regarding doing implants/crowns in Costa Rica? Thank you.
Dear everyone,
I have been in the dental field for 30 years and have seen lots of implant surgeries. These mini implants are amazing!! There a small learning curve but once you got the concept of how to achieve the results you got it made. I’ve worked with one of these original doctors placing these mini implants when they first came out back 7-8 years ago. And let me tell you this. THEY are still in place and we put these little guys in some really compromised ridges to help these people. The doctor I worked with sold the practice to a new doctor and now this doctor is seeing these original patients in which these mini implants were placed. The bone is still good little to no resorption/breakdown at the crest of the implant as in some traditional impants. They are the happiest people and sooooo very appreciative. So as far as test results and data in some journal check out some of these docotrs and cases they have done. Some of these mini implant companies have these names and are willing to lshare for information purposes. We are all on the same side trying to do the best for people and helping one another learn and grow in the field of dentistry. BTW…If you consider each patient has at least 4 minis placed in the lower mandible for denture stabilization as suggested and you’ve seen at least 150 patients in a 5 year period with a placement value equalling approximately 600 impants. SO being that Dr. Shatkin is going on his 10th or more year and he places more than just mandibular implants he could be close to the thousands. Kudo’s Dr. Shatkin!! and all you other doctors out there doing what you do best.!!!
Hi all. I’m currently 29 years old and had all my upper teeth pulled about 5 years ago. I also had all my bottoms pulled except for the front 6. I have a full upper denture and partial lower denture.
I’ve gotten used to the upper pallete that covers the roof of my mouth although I would LOVE for it to be gone. I really hate the lower partial though as theres a huge piece of metal that rests behind my natural teeth.
My question is–Is 5 years too long to hope to have enough bone on my upper jaw? My old dentist said the bone will degenerate but never said how fast this happens. I know theres not an exact science to this but just wondering in general.
I had no gum disease and my dentist actually put AMA on my chart as he was against pulling my teeth. I just couldnt afford all the caps/crowns/bridges/etc that he wanted to do. I have an overbite so I was hoping the dentures would help fix this. He made the upper teeth curve out a bit which helped but I think the bottoms need to arch back a bit to really be able to clench my teeth.
In any case, I was wondering if 5 years is considered a long time in terms of losing bone mass? Also if possible to have an estimate on what it would cost for a complete new set of upper and lower dentures with however many implants/mini implants that is normally used–also assuming I don’t need any other bone graphs, sinus work, etc.
Thank you in advance for your time-and thanks for the forum–very helpful!
hi, would really appreciate some advice here, as there seems to be conflicting ideas about the appropriate use of mini implants.
I am a 40, and when i was 11 i had my two upper canines removed because they were growing up in to my soft palete. I kept my milk teeth until i was 36, then, i had them removed and two maryland bridges made and placed. They were rubbish and fell out within a few months and i have been wearing a small uncomforatable denture ever since. I would love to have implants, and have recently been quoted £5000 to have the two done with traditional implants. So i’m guessing that my bone density is quite good, if i am indeed a suitable candidate for the traditional ones.
To me £5000 is a amazing amount of money, so a cheaper alternative and being able to have the mini implant procedure done in one visit has a major appeal.
but is it appropriate?
how long will it last?
and is that £5000 a fair price for the trads?
I see that no-one has posted a reply for the lady above me….and she posted her question 4 months ago…..er is anyone out there?………Mr Shatkin?
x
katie, No way will mini implants support canines.
oh….ok….well thanks for the advice
Katie ….I disagree
IF properly treatment planned and executed Mini Implants will do fine in the canine regions
I just dont understand why so many dentists have such a hang up with Mini Implants
The only compromise that i face is an aesthetic one
Mini implants will not have the same emergence profile as a traditional
However in good hands it can look very good
Find a dentist who has done a lot of minis its getting very popular now as they do work very well even in canine region
In my office it is around half the price of traditional implants
C
Katie,
you should get a consult done by someone who dose both regular and mini implants. Now, there are couple of different uses for mini implants and find some one who has applied to all the situations. I would not listen to some one who only does regular or mini implant or worse yet, ones who had bad experiences with them and generalize mini implants( or regular imjplants on that matter.) Drs, if you haven’t used minis to replace a single tooth including canine, try not to mislead patients because ultimately, you don’t know what you are talking about. I ve never placed minis for single tooth replacement purpose but I ve seen plenty that do just well.
I have read extensively on the topic of Implants. After a good analytical assessment of the online postings, it became clear to me that, in this battle of “conventional” versus “Mini,” economics are the ruling and influential element. I am still struggling which direction to go.
My question, seeking a honest answer, now is:
Doctors, based on your experience, research, and client feedback, which is the best, the most effective and functional min-implant in the market for a Maxilla denture and/or implants? Is there a mini-implant that is suitable for Maxillas?
I am grateful for an answer.
Antonio
Hello,
Can you please advise? Are minis appropriate to replace lower teeth X2 on the left & X3 on the right? I am so confused by all I have read on the subject.
Thank you,
Denise
Denise, I’d recommend going for full sized implants in your case. In my experience, mini implants are not suitable for you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Hi
I am a 40 year old who as a child had a lateral incisor removed due to overcrowding and peer pressure to not have braces.
(Oh only if i could have made the right choice at that time. lol)
Anyway becoming 40 inspired me to finaly straighten my teeth with invisalign, with a view to also creating a gap to have am implant placed in the lateral incisors position to give me a full smile. (mid life crisis?)
I guess you know what im going to ask.
My dentist said she would refer me to have an implant fitted when the time is right (end of treatment)
I did some research and found out about Mini implants.
I was told by my dentists that with the lateral incisor being a biting tooth mini would be no good but the sergeon would canvass this better.
Is a single missing lateral incisor a good candidate for a mini implant?
Anything else i need to know or ask?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Lee
a one piece narrow diameter implant may be just the right thing . the harder decision is how to find a competent dentist . good luck
Dear Mr Lee,
40 in Chinese is “say sap”, and is the halfway mark to 80, which is “pad sap”…..which means “sure to prosper”.
Thus, 40 is a very auspicious point to take stock and make significant changes to embark upon the second part of the journey of a prosperous life.
Yap. Get your teeth straightened and harmonious. The missing lateral incisor can be satisfactorily replaced with a mini dental implant which in most cases will safe the patient from having to have a bone graft at the same time as the bone thickness there is usually insufficient for a regular sized implant.
All the best for an exciting ride beyond 40.
Thankyou for your replies
“which in most cases will safe the patient from having to have a bone graft at the same time as the bone thickness there is usually insufficient for a regular sized implant”.
A bone graft sounds like a not very nice proceedure and something to avoid if you can. This certainly points me more to find a good surgeon who will assess me with a view to fit a mini implant.
Also thankyou for your wonderful chinese take on becoming 40. Your words are much food for thought and i will certainly look forward to my second 40.
Kind regards Lee
Dear Mr Lee. You are most welcome. Hope that your second 40 will be accompanied by a full and becoming smile. Chow
The cost of Standard vs Mini Implants notwithstanding,
The way I read these Q&A’s is that “Mini” Implants in general get a strong approval as the best way to go..If, and only If, you are considering implants for “Lower Full Denture Stabilization” exclusively, and that Implants for any other application is a totally different proposition and that Standard Implants might be, and probably would be, the better choice. ……Would you agree with this statement ?
Hello all.. I am wearing a partial denture for 4 missing upper teeth.. I have asked my dentist about either mini implants to replace the missing teeth or a mini implant supported partial denture and he seems to be against the idea.. he says he dosen’t do mini implants and that they don’t work, but from what i have read on the internet, many patients have had success with them.. The main reason i would go for mini implants is an economic one, from what i can understand they are quite less expensive than traditional implants, i cannot afford the traditional implants. I live in new brunswick Canada and i would love to talk to a dentist in this area that has done mini implants..I would also like to know if they work because im a little confused on it right now…
Sincerly Marc..
marc,
mini implant or reg. implant, to be successful, there are factors to consider such as how much bone volume is avaible, what your medical history is like ( any systemic disease such as uncontrolled diabetes, any immuno compromising conditions? Do you smoke? etc..),
Granted that implants in general fail more in maxillary posterior area( that is upper back area ), if all the above are considered with good surgical hands, both types of implants will work.
Having said that, just like you said, that dentist who doesn’t recommend minis doesn’t place minis and he/she probably doesn’t know much about minis. Go get some balanced advice from knowlegable dentist on both types of implants. Good luck.
I am a 53 yr. old female that has a upper partial with 4 teeth on it one of which is my front right tooth. When my dentist had the partial made and put in my mouth for fitting, I mentioned that the front tooth was lower then my left front tooth, which made it look longer and not aligned which was why I got it done in the first place.(My right crown had fallen and was a lot longer) I mentioned it to the dentist so he filed the front tooth on my plate down. A few weeks later after the swelling with down….now the tooth on my partial is too short. I would have thought the dentist would have know that and would have told me that at the time he placed the partial in my mouth. BUt never the less now I have a partial that I paid 50% for and my insurance paid 50%. And I am back to where I started before I even got the partial. The dentist stated that if he was to change the front tooth on the partial that I would have to pay 50% again. WHAT????? I have not done that because I was so frustrated with my dentist, But I find my self not wanting to smile again and hate it when people take close up pictures of me because that is all I can see is a short tooth and if I try to move the partial down for pics you can see the top of the partial….ugh!!! So after reading and finding out more about mini implants I was so excited. I can’t afford the $25,000 to get implants but would just like to have my front tooth fixed so I can smile again, I love to laugh and smile and I find myself not doing either one because of my front tooth. Can I get just a front tooth mini implant that won’t have a metal showing and look just like my other front tooth??? That is affordable?? What would it cost for just a front upper tooth mini implant?? I am going on a cruise the end of June and would love to be able to smile and have great pics with a nice front right tooth. Please help me. Do you know any good mini implant dentist in the Charlotte, NC area?? Thank you so much for any help you can give me!!!
Can we consider using the same ball + housing attachment used for lower denture stabilization, on a single tooth replacement? I feel that the hygiene achievable with daily removal of the tooth would be superior to a crown permanently cemented. Orings may need more frequent replacing. Or is the fit too sloppy, allowing more debris to gather around the join?
In my opinion, using the ball and housing arrangement on one tooth (or any system without cross arch stabilization) puts way too much stress on the implant from lateral movement and will lead to rapid failure in most cases. I have a mini implant single crown at #5 in my own mouth, cemented over three years ago. No issues with hygiene, and the current x-ray shows zero bone loss. Looks just as good or better than the adjacent teeth. No cratering, no sign of a. I have done many cemented cases from single tooth to full arch and have experienced only the expected number of implant failures. The only time I get in trouble is when the implant is subject to lateral forces and the patient has a very strong bite. Don’t worry about cementation if the crown is well made by a lab experienced with mini implant crowns.
I have a patient with diminished space between 25 and 27(which is rotated). The patient was evaluated for orthodontic treatment, but will likely refuse. The space can accomodate a mimi implant but I haven’t seen very much in the literature regarding single tooth replacement and the crown and bridge aspect of the restorations. Can you point me in the right direction so I can discuss the options with the restorative dentist.