People have used dentures for ages. And they work great for some folks. However, dentures arenโt perfect for everyone: They can loosen over time, rubbing against the gums and making everyday activities like chewing and talking uncomfortable. Nowadays, practitioners like Dr. Ruedi Tillmann use dental implants to stabilize dentures. And with mini implant dentures, in particular, more people than ever before can access secure, comfortable tooth replacement options that were once out of reach.
What Are Mini Dentures?
โMini denturesโ arenโt small dentures. Theyโre dentures that we anchor to a series of mini dental implants. Unlike traditional dental implants, mini implants are slim, one-piece implants that we can place using a simple, minimally invasive technique. Theyโre a great option for patients with bone loss, those seeking quicker results, or individuals who prefer to avoid invasive surgery.
The mini implant process is simple, and typically looks something like this:
- During your free consultation, Dr. Tillmann takes detailed 3D CBCT images of your mouth so he knows where to place the implants. He also takes impressions, which dental lab technicians use to create your custom denture.
- As the procedure itself begins, Dr. Tillmann numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic.
- Then, he makes tiny pilot holes in your jawbone through your gums. He places the mini implantsโwhich measure less than 3 mm in diameterโinto these holes. Depending on which denture option you choose, he may secure anywhere from 4 to 12 mini implants.
- Finally, Dr. Tillmann attaches a temporary restoration to the implants. The implantsโ immediate stability means you wonโt spend any time toothless.
After a couple of weeksโ worth of healing, you come back into the office to have Dr. Tillmann install your custom mini implant denture.
How Mini Implant Dentures Improve Jaw Health
Many patients visit us at Utah Denture & Implant Center because theyโre frustrated with their loose, uncomfortable dentures and want a better option. Fortunately, we can help. But first, we would like to explain why traditional dentures often fail and how mini implants address the root issue.
When tooth roots are missing, the jawbone begins to shrink. This process is called bone resorption. Without roots to transmit chewing forces, the bone loses the stimulation it needs to stay strong. Unfortunately, resorption can weaken your bite, change your facial structure, and cause jaw pain, headaches, and wrinkles.
Additionally, as your jaw deteriorates, your dentures will no longer fit as they used to. Thatโs because they sit on your gums and are supported by the jaw ridge. So when the jawbone shrinks, the fit of your dentures becomes less secure.
Fortunately, unlike traditional dentures, dental implants replace your lost tooth roots. By anchoring securely in the jaw, they transfer bite forces to the bone, which encourages new bone growth and helps maintain the jawโs strength.
The Benefits of Mini Implants for Dentures
For most patients, implant dentures are the best denture upgrade available. However, not everyone is a good candidate for traditional dental implants because they require a strong, healthy jawbone for support. That means many patients arenโt eligible at all or require a bone grafting procedure to create a stable foundation in the jaw.
Fortunately, most individuals are candidates for mini implantsโeven those with bone loss. In fact, their wide accessibility and versatility are key advantages of mini implants.
And there are other benefits of mini dentures, too, such as:
- Minimal invasiveness: Mini dental implants are small, one-piece posts. Unlike traditional implants, they donโt require incisions or stitches to place.
- Decreased discomfort and faster recovery: With our minimally invasive placement technique, patients report only mild, well-managed discomfort as they heal from the mini implant procedure. And since the bone and gum tissues are left largely undisturbed, recovery is quick, with many patients returning to their normal routines in just a day or two!
- Quick results: Dr. Tillmann can place mini implants in a single visit for eligible patients.
- Reduced cost: Mini implants are less costly than traditional implants. The reduced cost is primarily due to the procedureโs efficiency and the implantโs single-piece design.
Simply put? Mini implant dentures are an affordable and reliable way to solve the problems associated with traditional dentures.
Mini Denture Options
To help you on your path to ideal oral health, Dr. Tillmann offers several mini implant denture options:
- Overdenture: This removable restoration snaps onto 4-8 mini implants. While an overdenture resembles traditional dentures, it doesnโt require adhesive, making it less messy and more stable than its older counterpart. Because mini implants are so stable, we can eliminate the bulky plastic palate and extra gum material that come with traditional dentures.
- Semi-removable roundhouse bridge: 6-10 mini implants anchor this zirconia roundhouse bridge. Itโs a beautiful denture alternative that you never have to remove yourself. Only Dr. Tillmann will detach your bridge during your checkups.
- Non-removable roundhouse bridge: This full-arch bridge is also made from a realistic-looking zirconia, but itโs permanently fastened onto 10-12 mini implants. Itโs the option that most mimics natural teeth in look and function.
During your free consultation, Dr. Tillmann will discuss which mini denture option is right for you. Whatever you decide, you can be confident that mini dentures will offer far greater stability and comfort than traditional options.
Contact Us Today and Get Your Smile Back!
Dr. Tillmann recognizes that traditional dentures may help some patients, but they certainly donโt meet everyoneโs needs. For those who find dentures uncomfortable or unreliable, mini implants with a premier prosthetic may offer the perfect solution.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a free consultation!
