Mini Dental Implants in Ontario, CA

If you are suffering from tooth loss, you’ve likely experienced difficulty chewing, eating, and speaking. Missing teeth can profoundly diminish your quality of life, affecting your mental and physical health and social wellness. If this describes you, you’re not alone: 7 out of 10 adults ages 34 to 44 will lose at least one permanent tooth. At Esparza Dentistry, we offer innovative mini dental implants to help you regain your chewing function, restore your ability to communicate, and enhance the beauty of your smile.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

If you need to fill the gap in your smile, mini dental implants provide a powerful solution.

Mini dental implants are a revolutionary technology consisting of a narrow titanium post with a ball on one end, a rubber O-ring, and a dental prosthetic. Expert implantologists at Esparza Dentistry place the implant by screwing the post into your jawbone. A false crown, bridge, or denture attaches to the post with the O-ring. Compared to larger traditional dental implants that have multiple components, the mini implant structure is more streamlined and compact.

Mini Dental Implants in Ontario CA Esparza Dentistry

Despite the fabricated materials, mini implants replicate the natural look and feel of your teeth and function the same way.

The Value of Mini Dental Implants

Mini implants are an excellent option for replacing your missing teeth, especially if:

  • You want to replace one tooth, many teeth, or all of your teeth permanently
  • Your jawbone doesn’t have enough volume or density to accommodate traditional implants
  • You are reluctant to undergo a bone grafting procedure, often needed for conventional implants
  • You are looking for a highly-effective non-surgical remedy for replacing teeth
  • Your lost or extracted tooth was small, or you have a narrow gap
  • You have a limited budget or want to save money without compromising quality
  • You don’t want to endure the long procedure process required for conventional implants
  • You aren’t interested in traditional dentures, which can be ill-fitting and require changes to your dietary habits

Small Size

Mini implants measure less than 3 mm in diameter, taking up much less space in the jawbone than conventional implants, which are approximately 5 mm wide. Many patients are told they are ineligible for traditional implants because their jawbone lacks the necessary volume and density to accommodate the screw. As a result, many patients opting for conventional implants would need to undergo a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting involves harvesting bone tissue from another area in the body or purchasing it from a human or animal tissue bank. The tissue is transplanted to the jawbone and left to heal before the implant can be placed. Unfortunately, this means extending the treatment timeline and prolonging your journey to a beautiful and functional smile.

Due to the significantly smaller size of a mini implant, bone grafts are typically unnecessary. This eliminates a procedure step often required for traditional implants. For patients with dental anxiety or anyone looking for a rapid solution to replacing missing teeth, the quick and gentle mini implant procedure is preferable.

The small size of a mini implant is also useful for replacing small or narrow teeth, such as the front teeth.

Versatility

Mini implants have many uses, which make them an excellent solution for many patients. We can attach an artificial crown to the implant to replace individual teeth or secure a fixed bridge when one or more teeth are missing in a row. A traditional dental bridge attaches to the teeth surrounding the gap, but if those teeth are not healthy enough to support the bridge, mini implants can be used instead.

If you need to replace an entire arch of teeth, implants can support full-arch prosthetics with removable, semi-removable, and non-removable options to fit your preferences. We can even place 4-8 mini implants to stabilize your existing dentures and stop them from shifting or falling out.

Non-Surgical Procedure

Unlike traditional dental implants, mini dental implants can be placed in an easy, minimally-invasive procedure. Because of their size and structure, the placement of mini implants is less complex than the traditional alternative, minimizing discomfort during and after the procedure.

At the start of your procedure, we’ll use local anesthesia to numb the gums and jaw. We’ll then drill a small pilot hole into the jawbone and screw the implant into the hole with the ball end of the post protruding above the gumline. Finally, we’ll ensure the implant is tight and secure and then connect the prosthesis.

Instant Results

We take our time to place your implants properly. That said, placement only takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. In most cases, the prosthetic can be immediately loaded, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the office with a functional bite and a beautiful smile. Long waiting times associated with conventional implants are eliminated with mini implants, making them an effective solution if you don’t want to wait to replace your missing teeth.

Rapid Recovery

Traditional implants require a more complex procedure, leading to pain and discomfort as well as longer recovery times. Because the procedure for mini implants is minimally invasive and typically doesn’t require stitches, recovery is quick. Most patients with mini implants can expect to resume normal activities and return to work within 24-48 hours after their procedure. If discomfort persists, an ice pack or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help.

Permanent Solution

Mini implants are permanent fixtures in your mouth since they completely fuse with the jawbone over time in a process called osseointegration. With proper care, your mini implants will never need to be replaced.

Cost Effective

Traditional implants can be costly, requiring multiple office visits and a separate bone grafting procedure in many cases. Mini implants are a budget-friendly solution for filling gaps in your teeth, often cutting the treatment cost in half compared to conventional options.

Mini Dental Implant ConsultationMini Dental Implants in Ontario CA Esparza Dentistry

At your complimentary consultation, we’ll determine if you are a good candidate for mini implants by discussing your medical history, dental goals, preferences, and budget. We’ll perform a dental exam to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. X-rays will also provide valuable information about your jaw’s health and where implants should be placed.

Depending on your specific case, we may need to prepare you for mini implants by extracting teeth or treating other oral issues first. Once you are ready for implants, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and gums so your custom-made restoration can be fabricated.

Aftercare for Mini Dental Implants

We recommend eating a soft food diet immediately after your procedure and avoiding hard or chewy foods until the implants have healed. You should also delay strenuous physical activity for 24 hours.

Once you’ve recovered, you can resume eating all your favorite foods, but you should avoid chewing on ice, biting your fingernails, or grinding your teeth, which can damage the implants. If you grind your teeth at night, using a custom-fitted night guard can take pressure off your restoration.

Dental implants are the longest-lasting method for replacing missing teeth. With proper care, your mini implants can last for years and years. Luckily, proper maintenance means following the same hygiene recommendations as natural teeth. You should brush twice a day with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and use an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouthwash. Visiting Esparza Dentistry for routine checkups and cleanings will prolong the life of your mini implants.

Fill Gaps in Your Smile with Mini Dental Implants

With over 25 years of experience serving residents of Ontario, CA, you can trust the mini dental implant experts at Esparza Dentistry to help you achieve the smile you’ve always envisioned. From replacing a single tooth to an entire arch of teeth, we can design a custom treatment plan that restores the function of your bite and leaves you with a radiant smile.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about mini dental implants at Esparza Dentistry.