Mini Dental Implants - Mini Tooth Implant Tips

Mini dental implants were designed for stabilizing dentures and are not indicated for replacing missing teeth or putting crowns or bridges on them. Some dentists use the materials "off label", meaning they are marching to their own drummer. Some report success, others do not.
Should something go wrong, there would be no help from the manufacturer. Single tooth/gap problems are best treated with a single root form implant, orthdontics or porcelain restorations.
Consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist to see what is best for you.

Mini implants have limitations and certain indications, and restoring a tooth is where limitations are very real and there are few indications. Mini implants used to
restore a tooth is generally a poor long-term decision -- the only teeth I'd ever
consider restoring on a mini implant are the smallest teeth we have that
are in the least amount of function: lower incisors or upper lateral
incisors (the small teeth just next to your two front teeth). Mini's
just aren't design to take much biting force, so they won't last if you
ask them to do too much work. Investing in a bone graft and a larger
implant is a much more predictable long term solution. There are
also companies like Biohorizons, Nobel Biocare, and Straumann (3 of the biggest dental implant players in the world) that have come
out with 3.0mm implants that are very strong and can withstand long term
use. These are just slightly larger than minis, but they will be a
better long term choice by far. If you have adequate bone to place a 3.0 or larger size implant, you should go that route. Minis are cost effective in a short term sense, but they will likely fatigue and fail over time. When a failure occurs, it may make placing a second implant difficult or impossible. Plus, if you have to pay for two minis and two crowns, you've probably spent more than you would on one conventional sized implant, abutment, and crown.

Implant treatment has been around for over 30 years. The research for standard dental implants is exhaustive in the literature. The same cannot be said for mini dental implants. These implants DO have their place for tooth replacement in situations where the forces on the teeth (lower front teeth, for example) or lateral upper incisors (although depending on your bite, this may or may not be the case) are low. If you have huge forces acting on these implants depending on how strong your bite is, these implants WILL break. Implant fracture much more rare with standard implants. So the answer is, you have to see a highly trained implant specialist such as a periodontist or oral surgeon or prosthodontist to discuss option. Ask about your bite and whether your bite and jaw configuration is ideal for mini dental implants. As for the cost of mini implants, I cannot understand why these implants will be less cost because the professional fee and risk of surgery is the same regardless if the implant is mini or regular. The mini implants do cost less, but without sounding overly simplistic, you do get what you pay for. Cost should never be the overriding factor in making a decision about surgery on your body. Weigh out the treatment options and take your time. Rushing in could result in huge disappointments. I've pulled out hundreds of mini implants that were wrongly placed and patients are upset and devastated and discouraged from future treatment. This should not be the case as mini implants work in the proper case selection. 

First of all, mini dental implants have a long proven track record as a successful restoration. However, every patient and every situation requires a full analysis of the situation in order to determine which implant will best suit the restoration (denture, crown, etc).Placed correctly a mini implant can support a removable denture or even a fixed (cemented) bridge. Basically we choose an implant based upon the available bone. In our office , we will use the largest sized implant possible based upon the bone width and bone consistency. Therefore if we can use a full size implant , then that is our preference. If bone is limited we may utilize a mini implant. If patient finances are a concern we will utilize a mini implant as long as it does not compromise the result or provide the patient with an inferior restoration. Many times, especially in the front of the mouth a mini implant may be the choice for a single tooth gap/problem.

If you think of a dental implant as being a post that you placed into the ground, then you realize that the smaller it is the more prone it is to fracture and being rocked out of the ground. Teeth and implants are subjected to large forces over the course of a lifetime.Implant surgeons typically select the largest sized implant that would be appropriate for the site. For that reason, mini implants are not normally an ideal first choice for single tooth replacement