Mini Dental Implants Vs. Dental Implants

Written By Sarah Snyder
Article Source: http://www.ehow.com

A surplus of titanium and a curious professor yielded dental implants in 1952, and now those with no teeth can find relief. There are several concerns to weigh with dental implants; the main one is price. By comparing traditional implants to mini implants, you can find a solution that works best for you.

Background

Swedish professor Ingvar Brånemark developed dental implants after he had an excess of titanium and realized they could be melded to living bone tissue. He then used this theory to successfully implant a patient in 1965, and the teeth remained intact more than 30 years later.

Dental Implants

Classified as a prosthetic, dental implants can either be medical or cosmetic. For many, it's their only chance to eat and speak properly. Others use it as a way to restore unattractive teeth. Traditional dental implants, anchored by titanium screws, look just like normal teeth.

Mini Implants

Mini implants are in essence the bolt of the implant and not the exterior we see on traditional implants that resemble a real tooth. These are suitable for those who will lock their dentures on top of the mini implants. This also is a good option for those who lack enough bone to bind to a traditional implant and want to avoid bone grafts. The cost is generally cheaper and the recovery time significantly shorter.

Benefits

Dental implantation is a proven technique that can replace single or several teeth. With a full set of teeth, patients can smile with confidence, eat easier, talk better, and their facial structure can even change once they have a full set of teeth.

Drawbacks

Dental implantation is a costly surgical procedure that should not be entered into lightly. The patient will likely have to make significant lifestyle changes to protect the new teeth, such as quitting smoking or adopting more aggressive tooth care habits. There also is a chance of failure if the titanium doesn't bond with the bone. In this case, the implant is removed and the patient tries again.