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Dentures, a longstanding solution for tooth loss, have a rich history spanning centuries. While these removable appliances replace missing teeth to improve function, their design has limitations. In 1770, Alexis Duchâteau crafted the first porcelain dentures, seeking durability after facing issues with his previous dentures made from hippopotamus ivory. It is safe to say we have made significant strides when it comes to dentures. From their early origins to modern innovations, the evolution of dentures showcases advancements in dental technology. We can now provide superior solutions thanks to innovations like mini dental implants. “Mini dentures” or “mini implant dentures” use this technology to provide a secure and comfortable solution for complete tooth loss.
What Are Mini Dentures?
Mini dentures, otherwise known as implant dentures, are prosthetics secured into place with the help of mini dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures that require adhesives or suction to remain in place, the implants are inserted into the jawbone, which anchors the restoration.
These implant dentures come in various forms depending on removability and preference. Overdentures, or snap-on dentures, are removable like traditional dentures, offering enhanced stability through mini implants. If specific conditions are met, we can reline your existing dentures and stabilize them onto mini implants.
Semi-removable implant-supported dentures are only removed at regular dental visits, while non-removable implant dentures are cemented to the implants and never come out.
Mini Dental Implants: The Pillars Supporting Your Mini Dentures
At Centre for Smile Designs, we specialize in mini implants because they require a less invasive procedure and can support a wider range of prostheses. At 3 millimeters wide, mini dental implants are half the size of traditional implants. Additional benefits of mini implants include:
- Less invasive: Thanks to their narrow design, mini implants do not take up as much space in the jaw as traditional implants. This makes mini implants more suitable for patients who have experienced bone loss. Additionally, mini implants are non-surgical and don’t require incisions, unlike traditional implants. As a result, mini implants can be placed in one minimally invasive procedure.
- Minimal discomfort: While traditional implants often require bone grafting, mini implants usually bypass this, expediting the implant process. Thanks to their slender form, mini implants are placed with minimal discomfort.
- Quicker recovery: Due to their minimally invasive nature, mini implants promote a speedier recovery, enabling a quicker return to regular activities and dietary preferences.
- Long-term solution: Mini dental implants, anchored in the jawbone, offer a more enduring and permanent solution for your dentures. If properly cared for, your implants can last a lifetime.
- Cost-effective: With fewer dental visits and components, mini implant dentures cost half as much as implant dentures that use traditional implants.
Although mini implants are small, they offer numerous advantages. They involve a more efficient procedure than traditional implants and offer equivalent support at a significantly lower cost. When considering denture alternatives, mini dentures are a compelling choice, offering unmatched stability and function.
The Importance of a Strong Bite
A healthy bite plays a crucial role in maintaining your jawbone’s strength. When you chew and bite, the force exerted stimulates the bone in your jaw. This stimulation is vital, as each tooth helps keep your jawbone robust. However, when you lose a tooth, this stimulation significantly decreases, leading to a reduction in bone density and causing the jawbone to weaken. Without a proper tooth replacement, this deterioration continues, affecting your oral health.
This bone loss directly impacts how traditional dentures fit. Over time, as the jawbone changes shape, dentures that once fit well may loosen and slip. Often, even adhesives are not enough to keep them securely in place. This can be a source of embarrassment and anxiety, as you may worry that the dentures might slip at inopportune moments. Also, ill-fitting dentures can irritate the gums, leading to discomfort, inflammation, and, in some cases, bleeding. These issues cause discomfort and increase the risk of infections due to minor injuries on the gums.
This is where mini dental implants make a significant difference. These implants are embedded directly into the jawbone, acting as replacements for the roots of your missing teeth. When we secure the implant dentures onto these mini implants, they provide dual benefits. First, they help stimulate the jawbone, much like natural tooth roots, helping you maintain or even regain bone strength. Second, the mini implant dentures are firmly anchored, offering you a much stronger and more reliable bite. This enhanced stability allows you to diversify your diet, enabling you to enjoy the foods you love without worry.
By choosing mini dentures, you’re not just improving your smile; you’re taking a significant step in enhancing your overall oral health. These dentures support jawbone health, provide a secure fit, and enable a stronger bite, contributing to a healthier, more comfortable daily life.
Get Mini Dentures at Centre for Smile Designs
Opting to stabilize your dentures with mini dental implants enhances your bite’s stability and provides a newfound confidence in your smile. It grants the freedom to relish life’s simple joys as easily as you did before. When you come for your free implant consultation, Dr. Hopkins will review your dental goals and determine if mini dentures are right for you.
Contact us today to explore superior denture solutions at Centre for Smile Designs in Gulfport, MS.
