Mini dental implants (MDIs) let us place anchors in the jaw in one non-invasive visit, with no surgery. Their most common use is to stabilize dentures, so you no longer have to put up with a loose, ill-fitting denture. Unlike full-size implants, MDIs usually don’t need bone grafting or a healing period, so the denture can often be fitted the same day.
How they’re built
An MDI is a tiny titanium implant, like a small screw, that acts as a tooth root. It’s coated with or contains calcium phosphate to promote quick healing. Its ball-shaped head snaps into a retaining fitting in the denture, which rests comfortably on the gums and stands up to everyday biting forces.
Advantages
MDIs are a great option for denture wearers and for people who want to avoid surgery, including those with extensive bone loss who may not qualify for full implants. Depending on bone quality, four can be placed at once. They cost less than full implants and can be placed anywhere in the mouth, though they’re most often used for a lower denture.
- Firmer denture fit, with no slipping or wobbling
- Easier chewing and biting
- Clearer speech
- No adhesives
- No food trapped beneath the denture
- Easier cleaning and fresher breath
- No cutting or stitches
- Quick treatment, less discomfort
- High success rate
- Lower cost
What placement involves
The whole procedure takes about an hour. For a lower denture, four MDIs are usually placed about 5 mm apart, after careful planning to find the best spots.
- A mild anesthetic is given.
- A small hole is made in the jawbone for each implant.
- Each implant is screwed in and tightened until fully stable.
- Your denture is marked where the implants will fit, and the lab adapts it.
- The O-rings on the implants snap into the denture, which then sits snugly on your gums.
Stitches are almost never needed and there’s usually little discomfort afterward. You can eat lightly once your denture is in, and you can still remove it to clean it.