If you want a dental implant, then the length of the healing period and the general wait for the crown tooth may be two things that have swayed you away from the procedure. Mini dental implants are one solution that can allow you to receive an artificial tooth much more quickly. However, there are some drawbacks to the miniature root devices. Keep reading to learn about them and to truly understand if your situation warrants the device.

They Cannot Retain As Much Weight

Mini dental implants are not just shorter, they are thinner as well. This allows for far less soft tissue cutting, minimal bone damage, and a shorter healing period. However, since the implant root is not as substantial, it cannot retain as much stress and weight as a longer implant root. This is one reason why the mini implants can only be placed in the lower jaw and why they are used mostly towards the front of the mouth. 

While the implant cannot retain a lot of weight, the roots are still made from titanium, much like traditional dental implants. Not only is this metal incredibly strong, but it is accepted by the body and unlikely to be rejected. 

If for some reason you place a great deal of stress on your mini implant device, you should know that it can break away from the jaw. This results in failure. Also, if the jaw bone starts to wear down, like if you have osteoporosis, then very little bone may be left behind to provide the implant with strength. The implant may break free in this case too. 

Speak to your oral surgeon about your health, habits, and general needs so you can decide if the mini implant is best. Keep in mind that grinding habits can place too much strain on the root, so this is something that should be mentioned right away at the start of the planning process.

They Can Be Used For Single Replacements Only

If you are missing several teeth and want to stop wearing dentures, then a dental implant may be a good choice. In fact, something called an implant supported bridge can be used to replace two to three teeth with a single implant. Dental implants can also be used to secure permanent partial dentures or even full dentures. This can minimize many of the drawbacks that you are trying to avoid by continuing with false teeth. However, these things cannot occur if you invest in mini dental implants.

Since the mini implant is smaller, it cannot retain pressure from many different directions like a traditional implant. If you still want mini implants, then multiple devices will be needed and each implant root will be fitted with its own artificial tooth. Of course, the tooth still must be in the lower jaw and towards the front of the mouth. 

While these drawbacks need to be considered, there may be some benefits to multiple root placement. Since the implants are shorter, there is a much smaller risk of the root hitting a nerve in the lower jaw. Also, while many implants are secured, incisions will be smaller. In some cases, a flap may not be needed at all, so infection risks are likely to be much lower. If you are an older individual or if you have experienced some gum disease, then reduced infection risks may be ideal for your situation. 

There are some drawbacks to mini implants, but they still might be the best choice for your situation, so speak to your oral surgeon about your tooth replacement options. Keep in mind that implants can often be replaced too, if you decide on a longer or traditional implant later on. For more information, visit websites like http://www.2smileabout.com.