Mini implants: a cost-effective alternative to traditional dental implants

Dental implants can be a wonderful tooth replacement option for patients who have experienced tooth loss. However, many patients require bone grafting or sinus surgery prior to the placement of implants, the procedure requires several months of healing prior to placing the final tooth restoration, and traditional implants can also be cost-prohibitive for many people. That is where mini implants come in! At The DentaLink, we offer mini implants to St. Louis, Missouri, area patients as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to traditional implants. 

Mini vs. traditional implants: what is the difference?

Mini implants are just what the name implies: a smaller version of a dental implant. Traditional implants are approximately 3.5 to 6 mm in width, but a mini implant is about 2 to 3.5 mm wide. While this may seem like a very small difference in size, it actually makes quite a big difference in how the implant is placed, the amount of jawbone that is necessary to support the implant, post-surgical recovery time, and more. 

Another key difference between mini and traditional implants is their shape. Traditional implants are composed of two pieces: the implant post and an abutment, which are placed in the mouth in two separate surgical procedures. A mini implant, however, is a single solid piece that consists of a post and a ball-shaped end that protrudes from the jaw and connects to the final tooth restoration (such as a dental crown).

Why do mini implants cost less?

Mini implants have a lower price tag than traditional implants for a few reasons:

• The mini implant itself is narrower and requires less material than a traditional implant, and therefore is less expensive.
• The procedure doesn’t require general anesthesia, which can add quite a bit to the total cost compared to local anesthesia.
• Bone grafting and/or sinus surgery is not required prior to the placement of mini implants; in fact, mini implants are a great option for patients who would otherwise be poor candidates for traditional implants without these time-consuming and expensive procedures.

Other benefits of mini implants

In addition to being more cost-effective than traditional implants, mini implants offer patients several other benefits:

• They are a great option for patients who have lost bone structure, who would otherwise need a bone grafting procedure performed.
• The surgical procedure is less intensive to place a mini implant, which means local anesthetic can be used and post-operative recovery takes less time, and you are less likely to have complications.
• In many cases, patients can have their final dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture placed on the same day as the implant placement.
• We use the Shatkin F.I.R.S.T. mini implants, which are known for their strength and durability, so that patients have better long-term outcomes.

Mini dental implants near me

If you are ready to learn more about mini implants and whether they are right for you, call the DentaLink today to schedule your consultation! The DentaLink team is here to serve you with two convenient locations in Ballwin and St. Louis, Missouri. To reach our Ballwin office, call (636) 496 8584; our St. Louis office can be reached at (314) 334-1474.