Mini Dental Implants on 3 Tooth Bridge

Armando: First principles: Do not treat until you know the diagnosis. I would not do anything until the reason your first set of implants failed. If that is not determined, how do you know your new ones will not end up the same way. And now, using mini-implants which were not designed like the conventional ones to take the load or stresses - why would you think this will be more likely to suceed? Find out more before proceeding, is my recommendation. LCM

Dear armando: it would be nice to have more information on your specific case, but just as general information, mini dental implants were initially designed with the purpose of holding lower complete dentures in place as an "on going stabilization strategy". They have proven to be very good for dentures and in reality, they are working as a permanent source of stabilization for those dentures. specially lower ones. Some people are using them to hold single anterior lower teeth and they work very well for that too. Some other people use them for single teeth and even molars and bridges with modified protocols. I truly believe that using them in cases other than dentures,lower anteriors and cases were the patients have some sistemic problems or financial complications would not be the best choice since there are options that would probably give you better results and added benefits. Why are you considering this option? fear of the procedure? pain after the procedure? financial reasons? each one has an answer to it! Find somebody that would study your case and your fears and that has a broad variety of treatment options available for you. I hope this is of help. Regards Dr ordonez

What is the cost of the most economical mini dental implant?

Mini implant cost should be about half the cost of conventional implants. The procedure is not really a "surgery" since no scalpal or sutures are used and almost no bone is removed or damaged by the small entry hole. If a mini fails, and it can, of course, almost no bone is lost after healing. Two or three minis have at least the same surface area as one conventional implant, and the forces are distributed in different directions, not all in one place. For a bridge, all units should be connected and as many minis placed as bone allows. Why is this considered "risky" or "experimental" by so many specialists?

Armando, Yes...it is possible to use mini dental implants to attach a 3 tooth bridge to your jaw. As with any dental treatment a chance of failure always exists. 'Regular' implants may require the need to bone to be expanded or grafted or sinus to be lifted...but that does not mean those procedures are ill advised...it just means you need to be aware of the extra surgery and costs (both in time and money). Although I dont know your situation it sounds like the experience has made you gun shy in getting additional implants. Mini's can be placed most of the time in bone that would otherwise not be suitable for regular implants...not enough width, or space between tooth roots. But with a Cone Beam 3D scan you will be surprised at what bone a dentist who places minis can find. For your three unit bridge I would place 2 minis for a molar sized crown....but really in doing the case I would try and get in as many minis as I could and still allow the dental lab room to make the bridge. Best of luck with your new implants.

Yes, you can support a 3 unit bridge with mini implants but it is entirely dependent on the available bone health (density), quantity and bridge design. Just because you can "fit" the implant into the envelope of available bone does not mean you should. Mini implants are no easier to install than heftier implants. They may all be placed with or without an incision but that is not the issue. Either way tissue needs to be penetrated and there will be surgical trauma. A mini implant is simply a smaller, diameter and weaker implant and the implication that it is simpler or less costly is wrong. It is another tool for dental reconstruction when CT study and patient selection allows. Additionally it would be a poor and inexperienced selection for 2 small diameter implants to be used to support a single molar. If at least a 3.5mm diameter implant would exceed the envelope of bone then reconstruction of that site is advisable.