Are you missing one or more teeth? Are you having trouble with your current partial or complete denture? Mini implants may be just what the doctor ordered!
Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry today. Although there is no guarantee that a dental implant procedure will be successful, studies have shown a five-year success rate of 95 percent for lower jaw implants and 90 percent for upper jaw implants with conventional implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the back area) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and osseointegration (bone growth tightly around the implant to hold the implant in place) potentially is more difficult to achieve. Implant placement at the back of the lower jaw has the highest success rate for all dental implants, regardless of what type of implant is used.
According to Dr. Todd Shatkin, Dr. Shankland’s mentor with mini implants, there is over a 93.1% success rate of mini implants in the lower jaw and a success rate of 91.3% in the upper jaw. These numbers were obtained after a retrospective analysis of 5640 implants placed over a 12-year period. The greatest success rate of 95.6% was of those implants that supported lower complete dentures (Shatkin TE, Petrotto, CA: Mini implants: a retrospective analysis of 5640 implants placed over a 12-year period. Compendium2012;33(3)). That is a remarkable number! There are few dental or medical procedures with such a high success rates.
Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry today. Although there is no guarantee that a dental implant procedure will be successful, studies have shown a five-year success rate of 95 percent for lower jaw implants and 90 percent for upper jaw implants with conventional implants. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the upper jaw (especially the back area) is less dense than the lower jaw, making successful implantation and osseointegration (bone growth tightly around the implant to hold the implant in place) potentially is more difficult to achieve. Implant placement at the back of the lower jaw has the highest success rate for all dental implants, regardless of what type of implant is used.
According to Dr. Todd Shatkin, Dr. Shankland’s mentor with mini implants, there is over a 93.1% success rate of mini implants in the lower jaw and a success rate of 91.3% in the upper jaw. These numbers were obtained after a retrospective analysis of 5640 implants placed over a 12-year period. The greatest success rate of 95.6% was of those implants that supported lower complete dentures (Shatkin TE, Petrotto, CA: Mini implants: a retrospective analysis of 5640 implants placed over a 12-year period. Compendium2012;33(3)). That is a remarkable number! There are few dental or medical procedures with such a high success rates.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis around dental implants, a disease that is similar to the development of periodontitis (severe gum disease) around a natural tooth. However, dental implant restorations are not susceptible to cavities the way natural teeth are. Smoking, clenching of the teeth and diseases like diabetes and autoimmune diseases also lead to implant failure. Dr. Shankland will thoroughly review your medical history as you and he discuss the placement of mini implants. He often consults with the patient’s primary care physician as well.
Mini implants are usually narrower than conventional implants and can be used in smaller spaces (for example, where teeth have moved or drifted). Also, narrower implants may be used for small teeth and incisors. Further, narrower mini implants may best serve patients who require stabilization of lower jaw dentures, pre-molar teeth, or a missing tooth that was located in a narrow area. These narrower implants are FDA-approved.
There are some core differences between traditional implants and mini implants:
Mini Dental Implants have changed the face of implant placement. Unlike full implant placement where multiple dental visits are required, mini implants eliminate the need for extensive surgery. The development of long term MDIs now allows the dentist to place anchors in the jaw during one noninvasive treatment. The most common use for mini implants is the stabilization of dentures and partial dentures. Mini implants firmly anchor the dental prosthesis, which means there is no longer any need to suffer with ill-fitting, loose dentures. No longer a need for those nasty denture adhesives!
Mini implants are designed to eliminate bone grafting and expedite treatment. Full implants require significant bone grafting and a recovery period. The smaller size of mini implants means that no recovery period is necessary, and the denture can be fitted the same day and used for eating the same day!
Mini implants are a true innovation for people who are reluctant to have invasive dental surgery and for denture wearers. One significant advantage minis have over full implants is that they offer a viable treatment choice for patients who have experienced extensive bone loss. Depending on the quality and density of jawbone available at the implant site, four of these mini implants may be implanted at one time. Unlike conventional implants, mini implants don’t require invasive surgery.
Mini implants are also significantly less expensive. Conventional implants can be expensive to place, especially if many visits are required. The most common use for mini implants is to stabilize a lower denture, however they can be placed anywhere in the mouth. They also work very well by replacing missing upper anterior teeth.
Here are some of the other advantages associated with mini implants:
The entire mini dental implant placement procedure takes approximately thirty minutes. Prior to inserting implant, Dr. Shankland will have used many diagnostic and planning tools to find the optimal place to place the implant or implants. He’ll review your medical history with you and at times, with your physician. Dr. Shankland may even recommend various types of sedation for the procedure.
Here is a brief overview of the mini placement procedure:
In almost all cases, no suture placement is required and no real discomfort is felt after the procedure. After the denture placement procedure is complete, light eating can be resumed. The denture can be removed and cleaned that very day.
That’s all there is to it! Simple, non-surgical, non-painful and useable immediately without waiting months and months until the implant or implants can be used.
If you have any questions or concerns about mini dental implants, please call our office today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Shankland. If you mention that you read about mini implants on our web site, your consultation, including a thorough examination and any necessary x-rays will be free of charge.
