The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

Being turned away from dental implants isn't something that should have to happen to anyone. Unfortunately, there are some people who don't qualify for standard dental implants because their bones are too weak to support them. However, there's still good news out there for you: there's another form of dental implant that will likely work with your situation. Read on to find out more about it.

Mini Implants

The solution you're looking for here is called a mini dental implant. Mini dental implants, as the name implies, are a more delicate form of dental implants that are typically thinner in width than a standard dental implant. Keep in mind that this only refers to the titanium post itself, not the crown/artificial tooth that's mounted on top of it.

Mini implants are a good choice for people who have weakened or thinning bones because they don't require as much strength in the bone to support them. While it will always be a case-by-case basis, the thinner the implant is, the more likely it is that the bone can grow around it to support it.

Why They Exist

Miniature dental implants exist for people like you who can't qualify for standard dental implants. However, if you're wondering why everyone doesn't get miniature implants if they're so great, there's a good reason for that.

The reality is that miniature implants sometimes take a bit longer to be prepared before the tooth can be mounted on top. That is to say, because they're thinner, it takes longer for the jaw bone to grow new bone cells to go around and support it. A thicker implant is wider and comes into contact with the bone right off the bat, while a miniature implant (especially with thinning bones) may simply slide into the existing opening. In this case, it will take a little extra time for the body to grow enough bone cells to fully support the implant, but it's well worth the wait when it's your only implant option.

What to Expect

If you already know what to expect from standard dental implants, miniature implants are nearly identical. An implant is manufactured for your exact smile and bite and is inserted while you're under general anesthesia in a surgical setting. The gums are closed up around the top of the implant and you're allowed to go home to heal. Over the weeks to come, your body will grow those new bone cells around the base of the implant so that it's supported on both sides. Once this process is complete, the new tooth can be mounted on top and the entire process is finished.

Dental implants are a great choice for most people, even if you only qualify for mini dental implants. If you've been told that your bones might be too weak for standard implants, ask about miniature ones.