Mini Dental Implants in Schaumburg, IL
Dental implants are valuable resources for replacing missing teeth and ensuring long-term outcomes. They are small screws implanted in the jawbone that can support many different types of tooth restorations. While traditional dental implants have been an effective tooth replacement method, they don’t suit everyone. Mini dental implants are an innovative alternative, making implant solutions accessible to more patients than ever before. While mini implants perform the same function as their larger predecessors, they offer additional benefits. At Happy Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Aristodemo has extensive experience using mini dental implants to restore patients’ smiles.
Understanding Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are smaller, sleeker versions of conventional dental implants. While traditional implants average about 5 mm wide, mini implants are less than 3 mm. This difference might appear small, but it’s comparable to the size difference between an unused pencil eraser and a toothpick. This slim profile allows Dr. Aristodemo to place mini implants without incisions or stitches, facilitating a quicker, more comfortable placement and faster healing process.
Like their traditional counterparts, mini implants prevent your jawbone from deteriorating after tooth loss. They stimulate the jawbone, helping it and the surrounding tissue stay healthy. If you’ve already lost some jawbone density, don’t worry. Replacing missing teeth with mini implants is often a viable option when traditional implants are not feasible. Plus, their small size means that most patients do not require a bone grafting procedure to be eligible for mini implants.
You may think that their small size makes mini implants less durable, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, they are just as effective as traditional implants, boasting a success rate above 95%. Their one-piece titanium design helps them withstand the daily rigors of eating, brushing, and flossing, just like your natural teeth.
Mini Implants vs. Traditional Implants
Although they perform the same function, mini implants have many advantages over traditional implants, especially regarding placement, healing, and cost.
- Minimally invasive procedure: A mini implant requires Dr. Aristodemo to drill a tiny pilot hole to secure the implant in the jaw. This means we can generally place them in just one visit.
- Instant results: Due to their large size, traditional implants take three to six months to heal fully and integrate with the jawbone. They can only support a final restoration after they have completely healed. With mini implants, Dr. Aristodemo can attach a temporary restoration the same day you get your implants and connect your custom restoration as soon as it is crafted.
- Faster healing: Patients experience quicker healing with mini dental implants thanks to their minimally invasive placement. Post-procedure discomfort is mild and diminishes in 24-48 hours.
- More stability: Procedures like implant-supported crowns and bridges offer greater stability than traditional methods. Mini implants are especially useful for stabilizing dentures. We can place more mini implants than traditional implants in a single arch. This distributes your bite forces more evenly and provides additional security, ensuring that even if one implant were to fail, the overall structure remains secure. It’s similar to a table with extra legs; even if one leg were to break, the table would still stand firmly.
- More affordable: Mini implants are more cost-effective because they require fewer office visits and less time for the entire procedure, leading to cost savings for patients. Typically, mini implants cost half as much as traditional implants.
The Mini Dental Implant Process
The process of getting mini implants is simple and streamlined, like the placement procedure itself.
- Consultation: Every implant procedure begins with a free consultation. To start the collaboration process, Dr. Aristodemo will discuss your goals, preferences, and expectations. She will also take a CT scan to check your bone density, examine your mouth, and review your medical and dental history to design a personalized treatment plan. At this visit, we will also discuss insurance coverage and financing options so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
- Placement: The beginning of your visit will be spent preparing for your implant placement. This involves reviewing your CT scan and treatment plan. We’ll begin by applying a local anesthetic to the implant area so you’ll be comfortable throughout the procedure. Then, Dr. Aristodemo will drill a tiny pilot hole into your gums and jaw. Next, she’ll carefully place the implant, ensuring proper positioning. Once the implant is connected to the jaw, we can load a restoration immediately, and your new smile is ready to use. If you need a single mini implant placed, the process can take as little as 15 minutes!
- Recovery and aftercare: If we place a mini implant without first extracting a tooth, you’ll leave your appointment without any bleeding. Any mild discomfort after the procedure can be mitigated with over-the-counter pain medication and should fade within a day or two. To care for your restoration, treat your prosthetic and implants like you would your natural teeth. Daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing will ensure your new teeth and implants stay healthy and function properly for many years.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Don’t let tooth loss hold you back. If you are ready to experience a powerful tooth replacement solution, it’s time to consider mini dental implants. Dr. Aristodemo and the Happy Smiles Family Dentistry team specialize in placing mini dental implants and are excited to help restore your smile. Contact our office to schedule your free consultation and discover how mini dental implants can change your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minimal dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and a quality oral hygiene routine. The lifespan of your restoration depends on other variables, such as the materials used, but many last 15 years or more. At your routine six-month checkups, Dr. Aristodemo will professionally clean your implants and restoration, assess their condition, and address any concerns.
Mini dental implants are remarkably strong and stable. Their enhanced functionality means you can eat all your favorite foods again and enjoy a more balanced, nutritious diet.
The cost of your mini implant procedure depends on how many implants are required and what type of restoration you need. The good news is that mini implants are more affordable than conventional implant solutions.
At your free consultation, Dr. Aristodemo will examine your mouth, take diagnostic images, and determine your needs. She will provide a detailed cost breakdown and discuss insurance and financing opportunities to help make your treatment affordable.
Related Videos
- What Is a Dental Implant?
- What Is a Mini Dental Implant?
- Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
- Conventional Implants vs Mini Dental Implants
- How Soon After an Extraction Can I Get a Dental Implant?
- What If I Don’t Have Enough Bone for a Dental Implant?
- The Benefits of Mini Dental Implants
- The Success Rate of Mini Dental Implants
- The Mini Dental Implant Process
- How Long Is the Dental Implant Process?
- Are Dental Implants Safe?
- The Average Healing Time For Mini Dental Implants
- What Can I Eat With Dental Implants?
- Does Dental Implant Surgery Hurt?
- How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
- Options For Replacing a Single Missing Tooth
- Options For Replacing Multiple Teeth
- Can Dental Implants Replace All of My Teeth?
- Financing For Dental Implants