What's A Miniature Dental Implant, And Are You Eligible For One?

You might have heard that a procedure called bone augmentation may be required before someone can receive a tooth implant. But why does a patient's jawbone sometimes need to be prepared before a dentist can install a tooth implant? This depends on whether the patient is to receive a standard implant or a miniature implant.

A New Tooth Root

An implant is the gold standard for permanent tooth replacement since the implant (a small titanium screw) placed in your jaw becomes a tooth root. Once a prosthetic tooth is attached, the bite force of the tooth comes from your jawbone. This is different from non-implanted options such as dentures or dental bridges, which rest on the gums and aren't connected to the jaw (and therefore can achieve less bite force). Logically, the bone must be able to host the implant.

Bite Force and Stimulation

Jawbone density can be slightly reduced after the loss of a permanent tooth. Its usual density is maintained by stimulation—the bite force experienced by the tooth during biting and chewing. Once this stimulation is lost (with the loss of the tooth), the bone immediately around the dental socket will lose some mass. This is a natural process but can create an obstacle to receiving a tooth implant.

Bone Augmentation

Dentists often augment bone with grafting. This is the manual addition of bone material (synthetic or from a donor) to the deficient site. Once the grafting material integrates with the bone, your jaw is ready for your tooth implant. Without augmentation, the implant itself will fail to integrate with your bone and may fail—which involves loosening and detachment (which isn't a comfortable experience). Some patients may not be able to receive bone augmentation.

Suitable Candidates

Your age and other health concerns (particularly conditions that affect bones, such as osteoporosis) can mean you're not a suitable candidate for bone augmentation—or you simply might not want to undergo two separate procedures. But there's a viable alternative, and this is a miniature implant.

Less Bone Mass

Because mini implants are smaller, they require less bone mass to secure themselves. Their installation is less intensive, due to the fact that they're not placed deep inside the bone, as is the case with a standard single-tooth implant. It's an option that creates a flawless, natural-looking tooth without the need for bone augmentation.

Other Considerations

Please bear in mind that a mini implant is not a suitable option for all patients and all cases. A rear molar (which must withstand a tremendous amount of bite pressure) cannot generally be replaced with a mini implant. These mini alternatives are more appropriate for the teeth towards the front of your mouth (incisors and canines). Your overall oral health and bite pattern also plays a role.

So even if your jawbone has lost some mass, it may still be capable of safely and securely hosting a mini implant. For more information on implants, contact a professional near you.