Our doctors have helped many patients who struggle with missing or weak teeth through the use of dental implants. While the results are life-changing, this treatment requires an invasive surgery with an involved healing process. As a result, patients are often apprehensive about undergoing treatment for traditional dental implants.
For these patients, mini dental implants (MDI) are a perfect solution! MDIs allow patients to accept teeth replacement treatment without undergoing the process needed for traditional ones. But, what are MDIs?
As the name suggests, MDIs are much smaller than regular implants. They have the same structure as the standard-sized ones, but they have a narrow diameter of about 1.8 to 3.3mm, making them as thin as a toothpick!
According to the Mini Dental Implant Centers of America (MDICA), MDIs can replace most teeth, such as molars and incisors. They can also secure a patient’s loose arch dentures. Only MDIs can work with small spaces inside your mouth, too, making them an excellent choice of treatment.
Procedure
MDIs are less invasive than full-sized implants and can be less painful since they don’t require additional procedures. The patient can even undergo the procedure without the need for sedation! The oral surgeon will numb the target area and insert a pre-made plastic vertical and horizontal drill guide in the patient’s mouth.
Once everything is in place, the dentist will use a pilot drill to make a hole in the gum tissue for about 30 to 60 seconds. After that, the MDI will be screwed in its designated place. Patients won’t have to worry about scalpel cuts and even sutures because the procedure doesn’t require any of it. After the surgical procedure, the dentist will require a post-operation x-ray to see if everything is in place.
Post-Surgery Care
After the procedure, the dentist will require the patient to avoid eating sticky or hard food. We recommend soft and easy to chew food, such as mashed potatoes or soup. The patient should also take an Advil or Tylenol afterward to alleviate minimal pain.
Since the patient’s gums are still sensitive from the procedure, they should clean their teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush. With the less complicated process of placing MDIs, the patient can get back to their regular routine after a day or two.
Take Care of Your Oral Health
Losing a tooth can reduce a person’s confidence significantly and have severe effects on every day life. But our dentists at Affordable Smiles won’t let that happen with our mini dental implants for Louisiana residents! We want to give our patients their naturally beautiful smile back!
Our mini dental implants will help you bring out that precious smile! Reach out to us today to schedule a free initial consultation to see if you’re a candidate for MDIs!