Mini Dental Implants for Dentures

Mini dental implants offer an extraordinarily simple solution for anchoring an existing or new denture into place. No incision is required, and there is very little post placement discomfort and down time.

Dr. Brueggen has placed hundreds of mini dental implants and has found them to be highly effective for anchoring lower dentures. However, they have not proven to be as successful in upper cases and are no longer offered for the treatment of loose upper dentures.

Mini dental implants require no surgery or incisions, making it ideal for higher risk patients, like those who:

• Have had recent heart surgery
• Have uncontrolled diabetes
• Are willing to wear a lower denture but need it to be tighter
• Have budgetary restraints that prevent more ideal solutions
• Are chronic smokers (more than 1 pack a day)
• Have bleeding disorders or who do not clot as they should
• Are currently on bisphosphonate therapy or prescriptions for osteoporosis
  (like Boniva or Fosomax)
  
  

1. Ease of placement
2. Immediate function
3. Dependability
4. Cost

Oftentimes, patients can use their existing denture, simplifying the process and making the transition easier and less costly for the patient. The denture will be more secure, adhesives will no longer be required and food lodging under the appliance will be minimized. The modified denture is still removable by the patient and is treated and cared for exactly like a regular denture.

How the Denture is Attached with Mini Dental Implants
The denture is attached to the implant with an O ring system. With some cases, the O rings require replacement as often as every 3 to 6 months. Though it is not expensive, it can run from $100 to $150 each time. In most cases, this is required every 1 to 3 years. Additionally, these attachment systems are not as secure as the more modern systems, so the denture is not held into place as firmly and is not as easy to place and remove.

Making a Decision
Overall, mini-implants are an excellent compromise for anchoring a new or existing removable lower denture, where cost or health is an issue. With mini dental implants, regular care must be taken of the dentures, as usual, because it is not a permanent solution. Also, in most cases, regular replacement of the attachment must occur every few years. But the implants themselves, when used in properly selected cases and properly maintained, have proven very durable.

Contact Brueggen Dental Implant Center