An enterprising French immigrant with a fantastic beard named Alexander Neibaur (the name of the man, not the beard) was the first person to practice dentistry in the state of Utah. While he didn’t have access to the mini dental implant, Neibaur was, by all accounts, a resourceful and conscientious dentist for his time. In fact, he reportedly crafted a set of porcelain dentures for none other than Brigham Young, who assumed leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the following two centuries, Utahns have continued to contribute to the field of dentistry in fascinating ways. Just one recent example: In 2024, the University of Utah initiated a project that uses the chemical makeup of tooth enamel to help identify missing American soldiers. Only in Utah!
Dr. Ruedi Tillmann and the staff at Utah Denture & Implant Center proudly continue their home state’s tradition of dental innovation by offering a modern dental implant option to replace patients’ missing or damaged teeth: mini dental implants. With decades of experience treating tooth loss, Dr. Tillmann understands how an incomplete smile, an unsound bite, and general dental discomfort detract from your overall quality of life. That’s why he provides the most innovative and patient-friendly dental solutions at his practice.
Mini Dental Implants and Bone Loss
Individuals experiencing tooth loss eventually come up against a potentially serious complication: jawbone deterioration. In other words, you lose density in your facial bones due to the absence of natural teeth. This jawbone loss, or resorption, results in negative consequences such as:
- Bite alteration
- Changes in facial structure
- Headaches
- Loosening of teeth
- Mouth-area wrinkles
Now, dental implants can halt the deterioration process to a great extent. However, traditional implants demand that you’ve retained a certain bone density to be eligible for an implantation procedure in the first place. To qualify, some individuals require bone grafting or a sinus lift—a surgery that raises the sinus so that a dental surgeon can add bone material. While this strengthens the jawbone and creates space for the implant, it’s an additional step—at an additional expense.
Happily, a mini dental implant doesn’t usually require these preparatory steps. Each mini dental implant post is less than 3 mm wide—about double the width of a penny. That’s half the size of traditional dental implants. For those who are otherwise ineligible for traditional implants due to bone loss, mini implants offer a pathway to secure, long-lasting tooth replacement.
Implant Benefits
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 2.2% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 have lost all their natural teeth. And per the Centers for Disease Control, 25% of adults 75 or older have no remaining natural teeth. Because profound tooth loss is associated, in part, with a lower income, a need exists for more affordable tooth replacement techniques. Mini dental implants, which are less costly than traditional implants, go a long way toward filling that gap.
A mini dental implant, or even a full set of them, may also be a great option for you if you were previously told you weren’t a candidate for standard implants or if you’ve had a poor experience with dentures, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. Dentures tend to loosen over time, requiring adjustments. A mini dental implant, on the other hand, grips your jawbone, allowing dentures, crowns, or other tooth replacement solutions to stay in place.
Additional mini dental implant benefits include:
- Increased speed of implantation: Dr. Tillmann can place a mini dental implant in just one visit.
- Minimally invasive placement: Because of their small size and one-piece design, placing a mini dental implant is less invasive than similar procedures.
- Improved comfort: Mini implants offer immediate stability and quicker recovery because the procedure involves tiny pilot holes through the gums rather than incisions.
- Reduced cost: They cost less than traditional implants, as they don’t generally need preliminary bone grafting procedures or require complex surgical techniques.
If you’re interested in mini dental implants but still feel hesitant, consider this: Patients report success rates as high as 99%!
Interested in a Mini Dental Implant? Visit Utah Denture & Implant Center Today!
Dr. Tillmann and the staff at Utah Denture & Implant Center are small-town practitioners with a world of dental implant experience. Dr. Tillmann alone has been offering patients comfortable and affordable tooth replacement options for more than 40 years!
Ready to take the next step? Our office offers a free consultation that includes an exam, a 3D scan, and a detailed discussion to determine if a mini dental implant is right for you. Contact us today to get started.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news and updates on a practice continuing the Beehive State’s storied tradition of dental excellence!
