In 1982, Ingvar Branemark — also known as the father of modern-day implantology — presented his research on human bone osseointegration with titanium implants, at the 1982 Toronto Osseointegration Conference in Clinical Dentistry. This conference recognized Branemark’s work as one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of dental science. Dental implants have since revolutionized the way dentistry is practiced.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Just as their name implies, mini implants are a smaller diameter version of the regular dental implants. They are made from the same substance, designed, and surface treated the same way, and thus, are virtually identical to their regular counterparts.

Mini implants are fabricated with a reduced diameter (less than 3 mm) and a shorter length. These implants usually come in one piece, which means, the implant abutment comes attached with the implant body and cannot be removed.

What Makes Mini Implants Different Than Conventional Dental Implants?

Apart from the reduced diameter, shorter length, and one-piece body, mini implants differ from the latter in many ways:

  • Minimally invasive. One of the main selling points of these smaller implants is that they are less invasive than regular implants. This less invasive procedure makes it possible to place and load the mini implants in a single office visit.Traditional implants often require two surgical procedures out of which, the first surgery is more invasive and extensive than that associated with mini implants. The second surgery is also comparatively less invasive and involves uncovering the post and abutment placement.
  • Narrow diameter. As cited earlier, mini implants are smaller in diameter than conventional dental implants. The diameter of a conventional implant ranges from 3.5mm to 6mm while for mini implants, it can be anywhere between 1.8mm to 3.5 mm. Sterngold MOR Mini Implants are available in three body diameters, 2.1 mm, 2.4 mm, and 3.0mm.
  • One-piece body. Traditional implants feature two components: a post and an abutment. On the other hand, mini implants come in one piece that screws into the bone from its lower end and a ball-shaped protrusion as abutment on the top. Thus, mini implants have a small and straight abutment that comes fixed to the implant body.
  • Insufficient bone mass. Conventional dental implants need sufficient bone mass to achieve osseointegration. On the contrary, mini implants do not need as much bone for proper osseointegration.
  • More affordable. Very often, the treatment cost for mini implants is a fraction of that of traditional implants, owing to the less invasive procedure, easier workflow, and self-tapping feature (minimal osteotomy).
  • Anterior or Overdenture application. Conventional dental implants provide more stability and customization options to suit various esthetic and functional needs but mini implants can be a permanent replacement in the anterior (consider the MOR® A) or under a denture, no less than conventional ones.

Benefits of Mini Implants

One of the key benefits of mini dental implants is their less invasive surgical protocol. The less invasive procedure has a higher chance of contributing to minimal postoperative discomfort and increased patient cooperation, based on mini dental implant patient testimonies. Mini implants are likely to be suitable for medically compromised patients who cannot tolerate the invasiveness of regular dental implants*.

*Suitability is based on the patient’s clinical evaluation

Another benefit of mini implants is immediate load; meaning they can be loaded on the same day they are placed. MOR® implants are immediate load, and when placed in association with an overdenture, patients can chew food with minimal difficulty, with a more normal diet. However, clinicians must determine the cases for immediate loading based on the quality and quantity of the bone, amount of load, and overall patient ability to heal.

The third and probably the most significant benefit of mini dental implants is their comparative affordability. Patients who cannot afford the cost of conventional implant systems will find mini dental implants as an excellent treatment option. The one-piece mini implants not just cost less upfront but also simplifies the restorative and prosthetic procedure. In comparison, the augmentation procedures for conventional dental implants are complex, costly, and have more likelihood of postoperative pain and discomfort in patients.

Because of the above, mini dental implants are more likely to cause increased patient satisfaction and an improved quality of life.

dental implants

Indications of Mini Implants

  • Replacement of teeth: Due to their small size and design, mini dental implants are used for replacing very small teeth like maxillary lateral and mandibular incisors. These implants can also be used to support single crown restorations in sites with lower occlusal forces like the anterior sites. Mini implants are also indicated for the replacement of teeth in narrow ridges.
  • Overdentures: Mini implants are used for the rehabilitation of patients who express dissatisfaction with conventional dentures, desire more retention, or have limitations regarding the use of conventional dental implants. In fact, patients who are wearing loose dentures are the no.1 indication for mini-implant systems.
  • Fixed application: Mini implants are smaller and a clinician must be cautious while using them in areas with heavy opposing occlusal forces.
  • In patients with limited economic capabilities or limitations regarding placement of standard implants (like insufficient facio-lingual width of the bone).

Limitations of Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are thin (1.8mm to 2.5 mm) and this results in a lack of strength to withstand heavy occlusal forces. Also, because of their narrower diameter at the neck, sometimes it becomes difficult to construct a very natural-looking implant-supported crown with regular mini implants. The MOR® mini implant system, on the other hand, has the MOR® A, which is intended for anterior single crowns.

Another distinct limitation of mini dental implants is a small straight abutment fixed to the implant body. Though this results in cost savings, it also puts a constraint on what a restorative dentist can do when it comes to constructing crowns on top of them. Alternatively, conventional implant systems come with many types of customizable implant abutments of various sizes, shapes, and angulations. Therefore, conventional implants are better for crowns and bridge placement as compared to mini dental implants.

Mini Implant Placement

The placement of mini implants is a simple process that is not just affordable but also relatively stress-free for the patients and less complex for the clinician. The procedure starts with administering local anesthesia to the surgical site. This is followed by drilling right through the gingiva (punching technique) to prepare for the osteotomy. The mini implants are then placed into the bone. Some or all of the MOR® Implants may be loaded on the same day after the surgery. Ultimately, the decision on immediate load is directed by the clinician upon assessment of the patient.

Choosing Sterngold for Your Mini Implant Needs

As you‘ve just read, placing the mini dental implants is simple and easy. Sterngold is the largest manufacturer of mini implants in the US market and has ready information and resources for dental professionals considering adding this to their implant therapy options. Sterngold is also a known source for US made, ISO quality, yet affordable conventional implants.

If you want to know how Sterngold MOR Mini Implants can transform your career and practice, visit Stengold.com.