Shenk Dental Care
Roswell, GA 30075
MINI DENTAL IMPLANTS
What’s the primary and most effective use for them?
The most effective use of this unique dental product is stabilization of a mandibular denture. There are approximately 50,000,000 people in the United States who are “edentulous” (literally meaning lacking teeth) who struggle daily with prosthetic devices. A majority suffers a great deal of discomfort as a result of loose or ill-fitting dentures. Also, many denture wearers simply withdraw from any type of social engagement as a result of being compelled to wear them. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for family members to complain about a denture wearer’s disagreeable breath as a result of food being trapped and decaying under their denture prosthesis. Successful placement of the MDI addresses and solves all of these social and practical problems.
How specifically can mini dental implants help denture wearers?
The standard insertion protocol for mini dental implants calls for four of them to be gently screwed into the front of a patient’s lower jaw, or mandible. This is a relatively painless procedure that can be performed by a general dentist, requiring only a mild anesthesia. The mini implants, which are approximately the size of wooden toothpicks, are placed about four millimeters apart in the patient’s mandible. The patient’s denture is then carefully adjusted by the dentist to allow it to snap onto the four mini implants. The result? A tight fitting, completely reliable system that allows a patient to speak and eat with confidence. All performed in about an hour’s time. Because of the unique, minimally invasive procedure, the minute size of the implants, and the characteristic placement area, the typical MDI patient can enjoy a light meal within an hour’s time from having the mini implants placed.
I’ve been told by my dentist that my jaw bone is not “dense.” Is this a problem with the MDI? Will a dentist be able to get a rock-solid resistance state in such a situation?
After utilizing the standard MDI’s in his practice, Dr. Shenk quickly anticipated this type of dental patient, and as a result, has taken steps to expand IMTEC Corporation’s original production offering to provide an MDI MAX implant. Equipped with the same dimensions as the standard ones, the MAX has a different thread design that enables the implant to bite into softer bone and hold. It’s ideal for a patient whose bone density is lacking.
What about failures?
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 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.
How are mini implants different?
As a revolutionary departure from routine implant methods, mini 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 MDI 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?
A single, minimally invasive surgery is needed for insertion of the MDI mini implants. They 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 implant system available today.
What’s a typical daily routine one might expect once the MDI’s have been placed?
As with all dental applications, there’s a short adjustment period during which time the MDI patient becomes comfortable placing and removing the denture. Typically, this involves removal of the lower denture in the morning, brushing the gums and implant area, rinsing the mouth, rinsing the denture itself, then replacing it. The result is a normal day’s activity for the patient, including eating, talking, taking a nap, etc. Then, in the evening, the denture is usually removed again, the toothbrush is used, and the mouth thoroughly rinsed. The MDI patient then opts to sleep with, or without his or her denture. The result is a fully functioning dental appliance that works, is socially acceptable, has a comfortable fit, etc.