Types of Dental Implants: Mini vs. Traditional Implants [Video Explainer]

A dental implant is a titanium post that supports a tooth replacement. This simple idea opens the door for a range of tooth replacements. Dental implants can support replacements for a single tooth with a crown, multiple teeth with a bridge, or a full arch of teeth with a denture. But there are actually different types of dental implants, and they don’t all work the same way. There’s the larger, two-piece traditional implant, which is more expensive and requires enough jawbone to screw into. Then there’s the mini dental implant, a smaller, single-piece implant that more patients qualify for, even after they’ve lost jawbone volume.

Dr. Magno is highly experienced in both dental implant options, and as Emeryville’s Mini Dental Implant Center of America, she’s especially suited to provide high-quality tooth replacements using the least invasive type of dental implant!

Comparing the Types of Dental Implants

There are two main kinds of dental implants. First is the conventional two-piece implant that most people have heard of. Then, there’s the mini implant, a smaller, one-piece alternative that many of Dr. Magno’s patients prefer.

Conventional Implants

Conventional implants are larger in diameter, measuring anywhere from 3 to 8 mm. They also require invasive surgical techniques, including flap surgery. To place the conventional implant, Dr. Magno would need to cut open the flaps and screw a larger implant into the gums. That could mean three to six months or even longer for the bone to fully integrate. After that, Dr. Magno can secure the top component, called an abutment, on top, followed by another waiting period before the patient can get the final tooth replacement on top.

For patients with enough bone thickness in the right areas, conventional implants can work effectively. But that bone requirement is where many patients hit a wall. If a tooth has been missing for years, the bone in that area has already undergone resorption. This is a process in which the jawbone loses volume due to a lack of healthy stress. After that point, many patients will hear that they don’t have enough width left for a conventional implant. They’d have to undergo an additional bone grafting procedure in order to be a candidate for traditional implants.

Dr. Magno meets with patients all the time who have been told they can’t get implants the conventional way. She’s always excited to explain how mini implants are a more affordable, accessible alternative.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants, also called narrow- or small-diameter implants, measure less than 3 mm. Just like conventional implants, they’re an effective option for patients interested in replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full arch of teeth.

Because they’re narrower than traditional implants, mini implants work in thinner jawbones that wouldn’t be able to hold conventional implants. Dr. Magno finds that patients who’ve been told they don’t have enough bone most often qualify for mini implants. To place these smaller implants, Dr. Magno only needs to make a pinhole in the gums and anchor the implant into the bone. In most cases, she can place a temporary crown on the same day as the implant.

With traditional two-piece implants, Dr. Magno has found that there’s a high chance of developing complications in the gums that lead to bone loss and eventual failure. With mini implants, Dr. Magno finds that issues with gum disease around the implant are quite rare. The gums take to the smaller, single-piece implant a lot better. Mini implants carry a success rate of over 95%. And because the process involves fewer components and steps, the cost is lower, too.

Which Type of Dental Implant Is Right for You?

The right implant for you depends on your situation, but the bottom line is that mini dental implants come with those core benefits that conventional implants don’t quite have. Dr. Magno puts it plainly: if you want less time in the chair and a less invasive procedure, explore the benefits of mini implants.

Still, the only way to know what’s truly best for your teeth is to stop in for a visit at Emeryville’s Mini Dental Implant Center of America. Dr. Magno will take imaging, assess the bone structure, and tell you exactly what she thinks you need.

Text or Call To Learn About Types of Dental Implants

Two main types of dental implants are on the market: traditional and mini dental implants. However, the mini dental implant has earned its reputation for affordability, convenience, and same-day results.

You don’t need to put off completing your smile any longer, even if a previous dentist told you that you’re not a candidate for conventional implants. Dr. Magno wants to help you complete your smile with mini implants. Text or call Dr. Magno at (510) 591-0091 to schedule a consultation.