Mini Implants vs. Standard Dental Implants: What Is the Difference?

I have placed dental implants since 1997 and many patients have asked me about mini dental implants and how they compare to normal-sized dental implants.

Are you missing one or more teeth and wondering what the right replacement option is for you? Have you heard of alternative options to standard implants?

What are mini dental implants?
As the name suggests, mini dental implants are the smallest implants available – about the diameter of a pencil lead. There are two main reasons mini implants would be considered for a patient:

To stabilize loose dentures to prevent slipping while eating and speaking
When you have significant bone loss and there is limited jawbone available
If your jawbone is not able to support dental implants, other techniques can be used to rebuild bone, restore your natural jawline and provide a sturdy foundation for implant-supported teeth.

How do they compare to standard dental implants?
Dental implants are one of the most popular options for replacing missing teeth and come in different sizes, heights, and types. While the procedure for mini dental implants is less invasive, both mini and standard implants are relatively painless to have placed.

How do you determine the right size implant?
When treating patients, I take into account their particular needs and focus on finding the option that will provide them with the optimal stability and longevity to be able to eat, speak and smile and live confidently again.

While mini implants are dental implants, they behave and function somewhat differently than normal-sized dental implants. Patients need to understand how these options differ. This research article published in the Journal of Oral Implantology outlines these differences in more detail.