Implant dentistry is the second-oldest dental profession in history, only surpassed by oral surgery. Over the years, there have been numerous advancements in the field, making dental implant placement safer and more effective. One such innovation was the discovery of osseointegration, or titanium’s ability to integrate with living bone over time. Using titanium implants, dentists restore smiles by anchoring dentures to your jawbone! In a system like All-on-4, conventional implants are used to secure your dentures in place, utilizing four implants for the upper jaw and 4 for the lower jaw. However, conventional implants use a significant amount of jaw space that many patients don’t have, and are potentially susceptible to infection. When an All-on-4 implant fails due to infection, your denture will no longer remain secure in your mouth.
Fortunately, the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, has a solution! At our practice, we use mini dental implants as a smaller and less invasive alternative to conventional implants! These titanium posts are just as secure, but without the hassle that comes with traditional systems like All-on-4.
What Is All-on-4?
All-on-4 refers to an implant denture system that uses conventional dental implants.
These titanium screws have a large diameter and multiple pieces in their construction. To place them, an invasive procedure using incisions and a series of large drills is necessary. However, not everyone is eligible for this invasive surgery.
After tooth loss, most patients experience a gradual loss of bone mass and volume. Unfortunately, without enough bone structure for support, conventional implants can’t stabilize. While additional procedures, such as a sinus lift or bone graft, help rebuild lost bone, they also increase the cost and length of your implant placement process.
Because the All-on-4 implant denture system uses four implants for your upper and lower jaw to support a denture prosthetic, it requires a substantial amount of bone. However, many patients lacking this bone structure would prefer to avoid invasive procedures and extensive bone grafting.
Additionally, thanks to their multi-piece design, conventional implants have an increased risk of infection. Peri-implantitis is an infection of the tissues surrounding your implant, typically caused by poor oral hygiene. Due to the small seams and crevices between implant parts, conventional implants can harbor bacteria, potentially leading to peri-implantitis and even implant failure.
In the case that one of your four implants fails, your All-on-4 denture will no longer remain stable on your jaw. Your failed implant will need to be removed, and you’ll likely require extensive bone grafting to rebuild the lost bone. Starting this process over can add an additional 3 to 6 months to your procedure.
For a less invasive process and to protect against bacteria, we recommend visiting the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO!
Experience the Mini Implant Difference
Mini dental implants are significantly smaller than conventional implants and require less jawbone to stabilize. Unlike conventional implants, which often force patients to undergo additional procedures, mini implants typically secure in minimal bone structure!
Additionally, these implants offer a whole host of benefits that far surpass those of conventional implants, including:
- Minimally invasive: Thanks to their tiny diameter, we place mini implants without the use of incisions or stitches. Instead, we create a small pilot hole in the gums and jaw and carefully screw the titanium post in place.
- Infection-resistant: Mini dental implants have a one-piece design that eliminates the small spaces between parts where bacteria gather. Thanks to this sleek design, your implants are much less susceptible to infection or peri-implantitis, protecting them from potential implant failure. In the rare case a mini implant does fail, the other implants in your jaw are still able to support your denture without issue.
- Fast healing: Using a minimally invasive procedure disturbs less of the tissues surrounding your implant. With less structure destroyed, your gums and bone are able to heal quickly! Rather than waiting months for a new and improved smile, you can restore your smile in just one day.
- Less expensive: Mini implants are typically half the cost of conventional implants due to their fewer pieces, fewer appointments, and simple placement procedure.
Mini Implant Denture Options
At the Mini Dental Implant Centers of America in Springfield, MO, we offer several mini implant dentures as alternatives to All-on-4.
Snap-on dentures require 4 to 8 mini implants spaced evenly around your jawbone. While on your implants, this prosthetic is secure. However, for easy maintenance, you can “snap” these dentures off at any time!
We also offer roundhouse bridges, which are a sleeker kind of prosthetic that requires less of the bulky gum base. For semi-removable roundhouse bridges, we use 6 to 10 mini implants for support. While you never remove this denture, we will at routine dental visits to ensure your gums and implants are still in good condition.
Finally, we offer a non-removable roundhouse bridge, which often eliminates the need for a denture base altogether! This implant denture secures directly on 10 to 12 mini implants and is never removed. Instead, it resembles your natural teeth in both look and function.
Restore Your Smile With All-on-4 Alternatives in Springfield, MO!
Implant dentistry has come a long way. With titanium mini dental implants for support, you can secure your smile in place quickly and effectively, with just as much success as conventional implants. To find All-on-4 alternatives for your smile, book a free implant consultation at the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, today!
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