When you begin losing your teeth, you have many options to choose from. Many people like more permanent options so they opt for dental implants. There are two types of implants that you can choose from: traditional dental implants and mini implants.
Traditional Dental Implants
Traditional dental implants are false teeth that are implanted into the jawbone. Dental implants look and feel like real teeth. A titanium screw is implanted into the jawbone to act as a tooth root. A composite tooth is added to the top of the screw to give you teeth that look and feel like the real deal. You never have to remove them, use adhesive, or get replacements.
Advantages of Dental implants
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Improved speech
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Comfortable
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Eat what you want
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No jawbone loss due to missing teeth
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Convenient
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Improved appearance
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Raises self-esteem
Disadvantages of dental implants
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Cost
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Generally not covered by dental insurance
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Extensive oral surgery is required
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May need 3-4 months of bone grafting
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Painful recovery
Who is eligible?
Most healthy patients can receive dental implants. If you're healthy enough for routine extractions and oral surgery, you are most likely able to receive the implants. One issue though is people who have been missing teeth for years. After your teeth fall out, your jawbone begins to deteriorate. If you have had too much jawbone loss, your jawbone may not have the proper density to hold the implant. Your oral surgeon will take x-rays and evaluate your jawbone. If you aren't able to have traditional dental implants, mini implants may be a better fit.
Cost
Another reason why some people opt out of traditional dental implants is the cost. While dental implants have many benefits, the cost can be a deterrent. The cost of a single tooth ranges from about $1500 to $1750. If you only need one or two teeth, it can be worth the price, but if you need all of your teeth replaced, mini implants may be a better option.
Mini Implants
Mini implants are a smaller implant that gives patients a way to have semi-permanent dentures. Instead of having each tooth implanted separately, four implants are implanted into the jaw bone to stabilize an entire row of dentures. The dentures can still be removed, but the implants will stabilize them while they're snapped onto the ball of the implants.
Advantages of mini implants
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No adhesive on dentures
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Less expensive than traditional implants
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People with jawbone loss are likely eligible
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Can be finished in a single visit
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Comfortable
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Raises-self esteem
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Improved appearance
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Eat more foods than people with traditional dentures
Disadvantages of mini implants
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May not fit on people with larger sinuses
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Possibility of teeth grinding
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Teeth grinding wear down mini implants
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Extra cost with dentures
Who is eligible?
If you need a full row of teeth and you can't afford over $1500 per tooth, mini implants are a great choice. You can have the cost efficiency of dentures without the adhesives, discomfort, and worry about them falling out. Mini implants are only half the size of traditional dental implants. Therefore, even if you are suffering bone loss your jawbone can likely hold a mini implant.
Cost
Mini implants cost between $5,000 and $10,000. It depends on the system that you are using and if you need one row or your full mouth done. The system includes the four implants and the specialized dentures that hook onto the mini implants.
Traditional dental implants and mini implants both have more advantages than disadvantages. if you need one or a couple teeth replaced, traditional dental implants are probably your best choice. If you need a full mouth of teeth replaced you can still receive traditional implants, but mini implants are a much more cost effective option. Mini implants don't require extensive oral surgery and have patients in and out in a single visit.
