The Mini Dental Implant System consists of a miniature
titanium implant that acts like the root of your tooth
and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the
base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped
like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket
that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over
the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture
at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture
gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures
allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting
forces.
How does Mini Dental Implant Technology Broaden My Options?
Dental Implant therapy has been one of the most significant
advances in dentistry in the past 25 years. Tens of thousands
of grateful patients bear witness to the benefits derived
from the opportunity to obtain a replacement for lost
teeth that restores their smiles and confidence. Several
different types of implants and restorations are available.
The choice depends upon the amount of bone available,
the patient's general health and restoration preference.
The computer and medical worlds are both working hard
to develop smaller and smaller components. In similar
fashion, a smaller version of the dental implant has
been successfully utilized in selected cases. These mini
dental implants (1.8 mm in diameter) enable Dr. Westmoreland
to broaden the spectrum. The Mini Dental Implant System
was developed in order to provide greater denture stability.
MDI's are for those who do not have enough bone to allow
for full sized implants to be placed for conventional
implant surgery, or are in on-going therapy from one
prosthetic denture system to another.
Placement of the implants is accomplished quickly and
easily in a process performed in Dr. Westmoreland's office,
with local anesthesia or a light sedation to help make
you more comfortable. Using a precise, controlled, minimally
invasive surgical technique, Mini Dental Implants are
placed into the jawbone. The heads of the implants protrude
from the gum tissue and provide a strong, solid foundation
for securing your dentures. It is a one-step procedure
that involved minimally invasive surgery, no sutures
nor the typical months of healing.
I've been
told by my dentist that my jaw bone is not "dense." Is
this a problem with Mini Dental Implants? Will a dentist
be able to get a rock-solid resistance state in such
a situation?
After utilizing the standard Mini
Dental Implants in his practice, Dr. Bulard quickly
anticipated this type of dental patient, and as a result,
took steps to expand IMTEC Corporation's original production
offering to provide a MAX Mini Dental Implant. Equipped
with the same dimensions as the standard ones, the
MAX implant has a different thread design that enables
it to bite into softer bone and hold. It's ideal
for a patient whose bone density is lacking.
What about failures with Mini Dental Implants?
It must be recognized that all implant systems as well
as natural teeth are subject to potential failure due
to natural causes, including osteoporosis, poor oral
hygiene, wear and tear attrition, poor health, heavy,
stressful biting habits, and lack of follow-up dental
maintenance care. Mini implants similarly do not carry
any actual or implied guarantee as to longevity. However,
the loss of a Mini Dental Implant is a far less critical
event to the patient since it may be replaced at relatively
minimal cost compared to conventional implants, and with
minimal associated bone or gum deterioration.
As a revolutionary departure from
routine dental implant methods, Mini Dental Implants
are so narrow they are typically inserted directly
through the overlying gum tissue and into the bone
underneath. Consequently the need to surgically cut
and "flap" open the
gum tissue, routinely required for standard implant systems,
is avoided in most Mini Dental Implant applications.
As a result, post-insertion patient irritation and soreness
is significantly reduced. While all dental implants require
care during insertion to avoid encroaching on vulnerable
nerve, sinus or bony structures, the ultra small width
of the mini implants offers a much more comfortable margin
of safety.
What type surgery is involved with Mini Dental Implants?
A single, minimally invasive surgery
is needed for insertion of the Mini Dental Implants.
The implants are then put into immediate biting or "loading" function
thanks to their "self-tapping" design, thereby
anchoring a fixed bridge system. As a result, it is often
possible to provide the complete mini implant service
in a single office visit. Mini dental implants clearly
represent an enormous breakthrough for the dental implant
specialty as the most patient-friendly, cost-effective,
proven dental implant system available today.
What will my first day be like with Mini Dental Implants?
Leave the denture in place until bedtime. You should
not experience any excessive bleeding. There will be
some mild discomfort but this should be minimal and controlled
by recommended pain medication. The denture should feel
secure. You may eat as soon as you wish to avoid excessively
hard or sticky foods at first. Upon removing the denture,
rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash and carefully
clean around each implant fixture with a cotton swab
and toothpaste. Use a cotton swab for three days. After
that, use your ACCESS toothbrush. It has been specially
designed to clean your implants and gently stimulate
the surrounding gum tissue.
How
do I place & remove my dentures?
The Mini Dental Implants and O-ring fixture must be
clean and free from debris. Grasp the denture with both
hands and lightly seat the denture, feeling that the
O-rings are resting above the ball head of the implants,
then press down firmly and equally on both sides. Make
sure that you feel the implant heads easily fitting each
O-ring. You will feel the denture snap into place. If
you have trouble seating your denture, first make sure
the implants and your denture are absolutely clean. Secondly,
make sure that you push downward equally on both sides.
If you are still experiencing difficulty, see if a family
member can give you assistance. To remove the denture,
place your thumbs under each side of the lower denture
rim and gently push both sides upward at the same time.
What's a typical daily routine
one might expect once the Mini Dental Implants have
been placed?
As with all dental applications, there's a short adjustment
period during which time you become comfortable placing
and removing the denture. Typically, this involves removal
of the lower denture in the morning, brushing the gums
and implant area with an ACCESS curved bristle toothbrush,
rinsing the mouth, rinsing the denture itself, then replacing
it.
You must clean and brush the ball of the implant as
if they were your natural teeth. As with natural teeth
food and bacterial debris must be removed or inflammation
of the gums will occur. In addition, food and debris
can be forced into the O-ring fixture causing improper
seating and loss of retention. The O-ring fixture must
also be cleaned out.
The result is a normal day's activity for you, including
eating, talking, taking a nap, etc. Then, in the evening,
the denture is usually removed again, the ACCESS brush
is used, and the mouth thoroughly rinsed. The result
is a fully functioning dental appliance that works.
I've heard that standard dental implants are quite expensive.
What about Mini Dental Implants?
Mini Dental Implants are surprisingly affordable, and
are usually available at a fraction of the cost of traditional
implants. By choosing the MDI, you've chosen an enhanced
way of life free of a lot of the discomforts and heartaches
of a loose or ill-fitting denture. That's worth a lot.
