Mini Dental Implants in Melbourne, FL

If you are struggling with tooth loss, you’re certainly not alone. According to a recent survey of Florida adults, almost one in five (19.2%) don’t have any teeth. While common, losing your teeth can be distressing and can impact your well-being. Fortunately, mini dental implants can quickly replace missing teeth, improving your quality of life in as little as one visit.

At Designing Smiles, our aim is to help you feel like you again. By specializing in mini dental implants, Dr. Apel and his team are uniquely equipped to restore your smile efficiently and reliably.

Understanding Mini Dental Implants

A mini dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that Dr. Apel screws into your jawbone. Unlike a traditional dental implant that has multiple components, a mini implant is a single piece with a screw on one end and a ball on the other. The ball end sits above your gum line and attaches to your restoration with a rubber O-ring.

Mini implants are a versatile solution for replacing missing teeth. They can be used for individuals who have lost one tooth, multiple teeth, or all their teeth. For an individual missing tooth, we will place a custom dental crown on top of the implant. For multiple missing teeth, we can use a dental bridge. If you have lost all your teeth on the top arch, bottom arch, or both arches, we can restore your bite with implant stabilized dentures.

Depending on the structure of your oral cavity and the type of restoration you receive, we can place between 1 and 12 mini implants to restore your mouth’s function and give you back your smile.

Traditional Dental Implants Come with Drawbacks

Traditional dental implants are the original dental implant option. They are made of multiple components that are much larger than pioneering mini implants. A conventional implant is typically between 5 and 7 millimeters in diameter, meaning it requires ample space in the jawbone. Often, older adults don’t have the space needed to accommodate such a large implant, and, as a result, they either need to undergo bone grafting surgery or are deemed ineligible for dental implants.

Due to their substantial size, placing a conventional implant is more complicated and invasive than a mini implant. This extends the treatment timeline. Before a restoration can be mounted, a conventional implant must fully integrate with the jawbone—a process that takes months. For many individuals, conventional dental implants are not a viable treatment option.

Who Is Eligible for Mini Implants?

You may be a good candidate for mini dental implants if:

You have lost one tooth.
You have lost a few or many teeth.
You have lost all your teeth.
You want to stabilize your existing dentures.

Additionally, mini dental implants are an ideal solution for missing teeth, especially for individuals who:

Have a narrow jawbone
Want to avoid a complex procedure
Are eager to replace their missing teeth quickly
Experience dental anxiety

Some factors may affect your eligibility for mini dental implants, but we will discuss these at your free consultation.

Mini Implant Benefits

Mini dental implants have many benefits, making them an excellent first-choice treatment for many individuals.

Small size and simple design: A key benefit of mini dental implants is their small size. Mini implants are less than 3 millimeters in diameter, making them half the size of bulky traditional implants. Unlike conventional implants, which have multiple components, mini implants boast a streamlined design. The single post contains the screw and a built-in connector piece that attaches directly to the artificial tooth. Conversely, a traditional implant has a separate connector piece, complicating the placement procedure.

Minimally invasive placement: Mini dental implants can be placed in one minimally invasive procedure. For those with dental anxiety, this is a significant benefit. With his expert technique, Dr. Apel can place a mini implant through the gums without making an incision. This minimizes discomfort after the procedure and allows you to recover quickly.

Instant results: Because of their size and design, conventional implants require a multi-stage placement process that extends between 6 months and a year, depending on whether bone grafting is needed. The single-stage placement procedure of mini implants is a significant advantage for those who want timely results. With mini implants, we can place the implants and mount a prosthesis in just one visit. You will walk into the office with missing teeth and walk out with a functional smile.

Quick healing: Because their size necessitates only minimally invasive surgery, you can expect a short healing period. Patients can often resume their normal daily activities in as little as 24-48 hours. Many working adults like that they don’t have to take several days off from work when they get mini dental implants.

Long-lasting: Made from durable titanium, mini implants will last for years and years. Titanium resists corrosion and can handle even the strongest bite forces. This biocompatible material is also well tolerated by the tissues in your body, which allows your implant to integrate seamlessly with your jawbone, providing exceptional stability. With proper care, your mini implants can last a lifetime.

Budget-friendly: Compared to traditional implants, mini implants are a more cost-effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Because of their small size, simple design, and efficient placement, mini implants cut the cost of traditional implants by half. However, if you need financial assistance, we partner with multiple third-party lenders to leverage the best possible rates for your dental care. With different payment plans available, you can make monthly payments that fit your budget.

The Mini Dental Implant Process

Your journey toward a beautiful and functional smile begins with a free consultation at Designing Smiles. At your consultation, we will design your personalized treatment plan. This involves reviewing your medical records and discussing your full medical history, including any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take. We will conduct an oral exam and take X-rays to evaluate the condition of your mouth and oral structures. With our CBCT machine, we will generate a 3D scan of your oral cavity to see the dimensions of your jawbone. This lets us know exactly where to place your implant for the best results.

On the day of your placement procedure, we will first numb your gums with a local anesthetic to make you comfortable. To place the implant, Dr. Apel will drill a pin-sized pilot hole through the gum. He will then screw the implant into your jaw. No incisions or sutures are needed with mini implants.

After the implant has been secured and tightened, Dr. Apel will attach the artificial crown (or another prosthetic) with a rubber O-ring. Finally, he will take impressions so your custom crown can be fabricated in a dental lab. Ensuring the crown is made exactly to your unique specifications takes approximately 2-3 weeks. In the meantime, we will place a temporary crown to revitalize your smile.

What to Expect After a Mini Implant Is Placed

Though you won’t need to make any dietary changes once your permanent crown has been placed, we recommend a soft food diet as you recover. Eating foods like soup, applesauce, mashed potatoes, eggs, and pasta will ensure the implant heals properly. You should also avoid hard or chewy foods until your implants have healed so that you don’t accidentally loosen them.

If you experience discomfort after your procedure, ice or other cold compresses can help. While pain should diminish quickly in a day or two, taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help in the interim. Additional aftercare instructions will be given to you before your procedure so that you understand exactly what you need to do to ensure a successful outcome.

Then, once your custom prosthetic is ready, we will place your permanent restoration, allowing you to regain full function of your bite so you can eat all your favorite foods.

Caring for Mini Dental Implants

Maintaining the integrity of your mini dental implants is simple.

Proper care for mini dental implants means following standard oral hygiene practices. Be sure to:

Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
Use non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes are typically too abrasive.
Floss daily to remove plaque-causing bacteria and food debris. A water flosser is especially effective for those who have had gum disease.
Use an alcohol-free anti-microbial mouthwash to prevent bacteria buildup without irritating the implant site.
Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night. These extreme forces can damage your mini implants.
Maintain routine six-month visits to Designing Smiles. At your routine checkups, we will evaluate the condition of your implants and replace your rubber O-ring as needed.

Mini Dental Implants: Small Solution, Big Smiles

From minor to significant tooth loss, mini dental implants can revamp your smile. Mini implants offer a minimally invasive procedure, rapid healing, and immediate results, enhancing your smile’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. With their durable and budget-friendly design, they provide a long-lasting solution for confident smiles.

At Designing Smiles, we prioritize your oral health, delivering exceptional dental care in a compassionate setting. Providing expert dentistry to residents of Melbourne since 1988, you can trust Dr. Apel to design a custom treatment plan that aligns with your dental needs, goals, and budget. Don’t wait to restore your smile. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.