Are you struggling with the challenges of missing teeth, feeling hesitant to speak, or just not feeling like yourself because of the gaps in your smile? Do you wish you could eat your favorite foods again and not feel self-conscious in social situations? If so, you’re not alone. Dental situations like these affect millions of Americans, and the issue of tooth loss is even more prevalent as we age. In fact, 1 in 6 older adults are missing all their teeth, and many turn to dentures to help them regain oral function. While conventional dentures provide effective short-term results, many individuals end up looking for better alternatives. At Aspire Dental Group, we specialize in an innovative dental implant solution that can truly transform your life: mini implant dentures.
The Road to Mini Implant Dentures: Types of Tooth Replacement
Dentures and dental implants are versatile tooth replacement options designed to address various tooth loss scenarios—especially when combined. Whether you’re missing many teeth or all your teeth, these dental appliances can provide excellent solutions for restoring your bite and your confidence.
Traditional Dentures
Conventional dentures are the tried-and-true choices that have been around for years. While they are an effective option for tooth replacement, they need to be adjusted or replaced as the shape of your mouth changes.
- Full dentures: Also known as complete dentures, these prosthetics replace an entire set of upper or lower natural teeth. They consist of a natural-looking plastic base that sits on top of your gums and porcelain or acrylic teeth. Their lifespan can range from 5 to 10 years, depending on care and maintenance measures.
- Partial dentures: These are used when you have some remaining natural teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The acrylic teeth attach to your natural teeth with metal or acrylic clasps, filling in the gaps. Depending on the materials used, they can last up to 15 years.
Mini Implant Dentures
The following implant denture options use innovative mini dental implants to secure the dentures directly to your jaw. They provide long-lasting stability, making them the preferred choice for our patients.
- Overdentures: Sometimes called “snap-on” or “snap-in” dentures, these are complete dentures that connect to 4-8 mini dental implants. These implants are long-lasting thanks to their strong titanium construction and their fusion with the jawbone over time. This integration with the bone creates a sturdy anchor for the denture and helps prevent bone loss. In some cases, we can even convert your existing dentures into snap-in dentures.
- Semi-removable roundhouse bridge: This option is an even more refined and sleek solution that uses a ceramic roundhouse bridge to replace a full arch of teeth. We place 6-10 mini implants to secure the bridge, which is why we sometimes call this option “Fix on Six.” It’s an upgrade to the “All-on-Four” denture that uses bulky traditional implants. Unlike snap-in overdentures, a roundhouse bridge is never removed by the patient. At your regular maintenance appointments, we’ll detach the bridge and thoroughly clean the implants and false teeth.
- Non-removable roundhouse bridge: The most secure option, this full-arch zirconia bridge is cemented onto 10-12 implants and provides incredible stability and functionality. This restoration performs just like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat all of your favorite foods, speak confidently, and flash a beautiful smile.
Because the ideal implant solution differs for everyone, we offer a complimentary exam to identify the most appropriate type of implant retention system for each patient.
Mini Implant Dentures: An Innovative Solution
While traditional dentures have been available for many years, they have significant drawbacks. They need to be periodically adjusted to fit properly, and frequent removal can result in loss, damage, and poor fit. Traditional dentures also fail to stimulate the jawbone, resulting in bone and tissue loss over time. However, mini implant dentures resolve these issues and boast added benefits.
The mini implants that hold false teeth in place are a significant innovation in implant dentistry. They measure less than 3 mm wide—roughly the size of a toothpick—and their sleek and streamlined design means they can often be placed in just one appointment.
It’s no surprise that mini dental implants are gaining popularity around the world due to their many benefits, which include:
- Minimally invasive placement: Because of the implants’ slim, single-piece design, we can place them without making incisions or drilling large holes in the jawbone. In fact, we can place the implants in one minimally invasive procedure. This efficiency and lack of surgical intervention are important advantages over conventional implants.
- Quicker recovery: Thanks to their small size and minimally invasive procedure, patients recover from mini implant placement much faster than conventional implant surgery.
- Enhanced comfort: Mini implant dentures provide a secure and comfortable fit, eliminating the slipping and sliding associated with traditional dentures.
- Durability: The durable titanium implants fuse with the jawbone, providing unparalleled denture support. The goal is for your implant dentures to last a lifetime!
- Preservation of jawbone health: Because they are prosthetic tooth roots, dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that helps maintain the health of your jawbone and surrounding tissue.
Secure Your Smile With Mini Implants
Imagine how nice it will feel to speak without difficulty, eat your favorite foods again, and flash a bright new smile. All of this can be a reality with mini implant dentures. At Aspire Dental Group in Lake City, FL, we’re here to guide you through the process of restoring your smile and allowing you to live the life you want. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost implant consultation. A brighter tomorrow is just a phone call away!
My dental implants, which I recently received from https://familysmilesdg.com/dental-implants/, feel quite natural in my mouth. It feels just like real teeth! The advancements in technology over the years are astounding!