Looking to replace missing teeth? You’re not alone! According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), around 26% of American adults 65 and older have eight or fewer remaining teeth. Typically, missing teeth in older adults is due to issues like gum disease and decay, as you become more susceptible to infection and disease with age. Fortunately, Aesthetic Dental in Southfield, MI, offers a reliable solution for tooth loss. Using dental implants, we replace your missing teeth with stable restorations that are built to last. For patients seeking a simpler, more affordable, and more efficient tooth replacement method, we offer mini dental implants! These small titanium posts secure in your jawbone to provide a safe and effective solution for tooth loss.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
Natural teeth have roots that embed in your jawbone, anchoring your smile in place. Whenever you bite or chew with your natural teeth, these roots provide stimulation to your jaw, keeping it full and healthy.
However, tooth loss results in the loss of stimulation, causing your bone to shrink over time. As you lose mass and volume in your jaw, you may experience issues like:
Changes in appearance: When your jawbone shrinks, the skin around your mouth tends to wrinkle and sag. Over time, the entire shape of your face will change as your bone sinks inwards, making you appear older than you are.- Straining on your jaw joint: Without ample structure in your jawbone, your jaw joint strains. This straining effect can contribute to TMJ disorder or jaw pain.
- Difficulties replacing teeth: Dental implants replace your tooth roots, preventing bone loss from occurring. However, the more bone you lose, the less eligible you are for implant procedures, making it much more difficult to replace missing teeth.
Fortunately, mini dental implants are much smaller than conventional implants, fitting into minimal bone structure!
Introducing: Mini Implants!
Mini dental implants are small in diameter, less than 3 millimeters. But don’t let their size fool you! Despite their small stature, mini implants are just as strong as conventional dental implants, with a similar success rate. This is due to their durable titanium composition, which integrates with your jaw over time to form an incredibly stable connection.
Additionally, mini implants feature a one-piece design, eliminating the small parts between components that conventional implants have. This structure not only makes their placement process faster, but also reduces the risk of peri-implantitis that comes with having multiple components.
The Mini Implant Process
The mini implant process is simple, as we use a minimally invasive placement method.
1. Free Consultation
First, we begin with a free consultation to assess the quality of your bone.
During this appointment, we’ll perform a thorough dental exam and take a 3D digital X-ray of your smile. With that information, we’re able to inspect your smile and identify and treat any issues that may prevent you from receiving implant treatment.
Once we determine that you are a candidate for mini implants, we’ll create a custom treatment plan for your smile! This plan involves reviewing your restoration options, discussing pricing, and exploring our flexible financing options.
2. Procedural Appointment
At your procedural appointment, we’ll use a minimally invasive procedure to place your mini implants in a single visit!
We begin with a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Then, we create a small pilot hole in the gums and jaw to create a space for the implant. Once we gently screw the implant in place, it will immediately begin the stabilization process.
Amazingly, mini implants support a temporary restoration immediately upon placement! Unlike conventional implants, which require 3 to 6 months of healing between parts, mini implants are instantly able to support a temporary crown, bridge, or denture.
Then, after a few weeks of healing, you can enjoy a permanent, long-lasting restoration.
3. Implant Aftercare
After a mini implant appointment, most patients continue their day without any trouble. While we recommend avoiding hard, sticky, or crunchy foods (as well as chewing directly on your implant), most patients experience minimal discomfort or disruption to their day. For any pain or discomfort you do feel, we recommend using over-the-counter medications.
At Aesthetic Dental, we send all of our implant patients home with a care guide and recipe book. By following these comprehensive instructions and sticking to the foods that are good for healing, your recovery process should be smooth and simple.
On the night of your implant procedure, our doctors will give you a personal phone call to check in with you and ensure that the healing process is going well.
Restore Your Smile With Mini Implants in Southfield, MI!
Tooth loss has a profound impact on your ability to eat and function, requiring fast-acting solutions. Fortunately, Aesthetis Dental in Southfield, MI, offers mini dental implants as a reliable and efficient solution. Thanks to their unique design, these implants can restore your smile in just one appointment, with minimal discomfort and healing required.
Book a free consultation with us today to learn if you’re eligible for mini implants!
