Having loose and poorly fitted dentures can be a debilitating problem. There are many patients, mostly older people, who would walk into a New Albany dental clinic looking malnourished and weak all because they’re not able to eat and chew their food properly using their loose and sore dentures. This could all change with a simple, inexpensive technology known as mini dental implants.
What are Mini-Implants?
Mini dental implants are made of titanium metal, which are the same material used in implants for bones and joints. They look like pins and are significantly smaller compared to conventional implants.
How are Mini-Implants Secured Into Your Jawbone?
Your New Albany dentist can now easily and quickly place mini-implants into your jawbone by making small holes in your gums and gently placing the implants, much similar to how you would tighten up a screw. An anesthesia such as Novocain is often used, but patients can also choose to remain conscious through IV sedation.
When attached, the top part or heads of the mini-implants protrude above the gums. These will now serve as the foundation to which the lower dentures will snap onto and stay there tightly secured.
Advantages of Mini-Implants Over Conventional Implants
First, mini-implants are way easier to attach or place onto a patient’s jawbone. What usually took about two surgeries with the conventional implants now only takes about 1-2 hours with the use of mini-implants. The procedure is done right in the dentist’s office.
Second, the healing period for mini dental implants are also much faster compared to conventional ones. Before, you needed about 3 to 6 months for conventional implants to fully heal, but now with mini-implants, you can place your dentures right after the implants are placed the same day.
Third, mini-implants significantly lower the cost of having implants done for a patient. Conventional implants would often run about $8,000 to $20,000, but mini-implants can be done starting at around $2,000 to $4,000.
Life-Saving Solution
With mini dental implants, patients can now have a better option to stabilize their lower dentures and bring back the normalcy of their lives. Once their dentures are fastened securely through the mini-implants, they can regain confidence to smile, laugh, and talk without having trouble with speech and pronunciation. Also, they can have a healthier life since they can now eat a more varied food selection and take the time to chew their food.
For more information about mini-implants, please contact Dr. Receveur at (812) 945-7645 to set an appointment right away.