Affordable Mini-Implants
Mini-Implants are similar to dental implants in general, they are smaller, and have fewer parts. Some patients do not have enough bone height or width to receive conventional implants. We offer "mini-implants" that are small enough to fit where conventional implants will not. These are the most affordable implants - we can often place a set of four mini-implants to anchor an existing denture for less than $2800! We can usually modify an existing denture to fasten to implants.
Dental Mini-Implants to Anchor a Denture Procedure
We carefully plan each case with a thorough exam, images, and any medical consults that are needed.
Implant placement is usually completed with local anesthetic in less than an two hours for four mini-implants, and is much less traumatic than removing a tooth. We can often place mini-implants with only a small opening in the gums, one or two very short passes with a series of drills, and finally insertion of the implants. Some cases require reflection of the gums to visualize the bone and a couple of sutures. Immediate loading with a denture can reduce the success rate of implants, so beware of claims for "teeth in a day". The implants are allowed to heal and integrate with the bone for three or four months, depending on the density of the bone.
Restoration of the implants is a very easy procedure, no anesthetic needed. We can usually place individual anchor assemblies on the implants and the locking parts in the denture in a single visit in our office.
Alternatives to Implants to Anchor Dentures
The sad truth is that many people rely on expensive denture adhesives to stabilize their dentures, and they still don't get to enjoy smiling, eating, and speaking as well as they could. Doing nothing is always an alternative, but please note that jaw bones are not designed for the stress of a denture on the surface of the bone, resulting in slow but steady loss of bone height and width over time. Many patients find that over the decades their bone shrinks to the level of the muscle attachments of the lips and tongue, so any movement "trips" the denture. Implants offer the advantage of holding the bone height.
