Mini Dental Implants: An Alternative to Full-Size Implants
While dental implants are a great tooth replacement option, they aren’t right for everyone. It’s difficult to place implants if you lack enough bone density in your jaw or if age or health issues will impair healing after the implant procedure. That doesn’t mean you can’t get dental implants, though. You may be a candidate for mini dental implants! Dr. Scott Watterson and Watterson Family Dentistry in Jackson, MI offers mini dental implants to those who do not qualify for dental implants.
Dr. Watterson Explains Mini Dental Implants
Read Transcript I believe many dental implants serve a great purpose at different points in time for different people. Mini dental implants are smaller. The word “mini” comes from the diameter or the shape, the size of the actual implant compared to a more conventional implant which is going to be larger and has different functions and purposes. Oftentimes, mini dental implants are used to help retain and support a partial denture or a full denture. It provides that stability for someone and security, if you will, of being able to eat a little bit more confidently or be in public and talk and laugh and enjoy life a little bit more, knowing that one's denture or partial denture is not going to slip out of their mouth while they're with their friends.
They offer the same benefits as traditional implants but are smaller and so can be placed in situations where larger implants won’t work.
Dr. Scott Watterson can examine you and determine if implants – either conventional implants or mini dental implants – are the right tooth replacement for you. Call our Jackson, MI dentist office at 517-888-0021.
Dr. Scott Watterson graduated from University of Michigan School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. In addition to his formal studies, he also pursues continuing education to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in dentistry. This involves proper and safe procedure for placing dental implants.
Mini Dental Implants Offer Big Benefits
Mini dental implants offer most of the same advantages as full-size implants, including durability and preservation of the bone structure. They also:
- Won’t require additional procedures. If your jawbone is too thin, dentists sometimes suggest a bone graft or other procedure prepare your jaw for a dental implant. But mini dental implants can often be placed without additional surgery.
- Heal faster than full-sized implants. After placing full-sized implants, we typically wait a few months for the area to heal before attaching replacement teeth. With mini dental implants, we can usually place replacement teeth right away. The area heals within days.
- Don’t take as long to place as full-sized implants. The placement procedure is less complicated and less invasive. You’ll likely need only local anesthesia, although we can offer dental sedation if you want it.
- Can immediately support replacement teeth. In most cases, Watterson Family Dentistry can place your replacement teeth on the same day you get your mini dental implants. Lots of our patients choose to secure their lower denture with mini implants.
To find out more about replacing your teeth with mini dental implants, call Watterson Family Dentistry at 517-888-0021. Or use our online form to schedule your visit with Dr. Scott Watterson to our Jackson, MI dentist office.