Shelby Dentist: Differences between mini-implants and regular implants

September 7, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

 

I have patients come into our Shelby Township Dental Office asking advice on whether to have mini implants or standard sized implants placed.  This is a fairly common question I get and want to give some information which describes their commonalities and their differences.   Generally, I would have to answer  that the basic differences in them is the flexibility and what they are going to be used for.

Dental implants are made of titanium, a metal that is completely compatible with the body.  The human  body does not have a reaction to this metal.  Very few metals are bio-compatible which means that they do not create an immune response in the body.  This is what has made implants successful over the past 40 years or so.

  • The standard dental implant is usually made of 2 pieces and is greater than 3 mm in diameter   The standard dental implant has an external screw that allows it to be screwed into the bone and an internal thread which allows different components to be torqued down into the dental implant.    The inside threads of the standard sized implant allows different  components to be attached to them.

The components or abutments are used to:

  • replace missing teeth or a single tooth.
  • Hold  removable dentures in place so they can be snapped on and off. These abutments are like “snaps” and because they are screwed into the dental implant they can have a stronger hold than the mini dental implants

There are many different manufactures of these standard  dental implants that have their own shape and design.  The good news is that they all work very well with a over a 95% chance of success.

  • Mini dental implants are a solid one piece screw that is less than 3 mm in diameter with a specialized ball shaped end that sticks out of the jaw bone.  Inside of the denture is a rubber O ring that fits around this ball.  When the denture is placed over the ball the rubber O ring keeps the denture retained.

Comparisons:

  • Because the mini dental implant is only 3 mm in diameter it needs to be 1 piece for strength. The 2 piece standard dental implants have enough diameter so that an internal thread can be placed inside of the top of the dental implant and keep it strong enough.  When comparing the two systems it is necessary to use four mini dental implants to hold a lower denture in place whereas two standard implants would be comparable.
  • The cost of a standard implant is about 50% more because of the fact that there are more components and because the surgery is a little more advanced.
  • Mini dental implants are good for those who are in poor health because no flap of gum tissue needs to be made for these.  Because no flap is needed it also becomes more challenging because the bone in these patients is usually very thin and it is hard to determine where the ridge of bone is.
  • Because the standard sized  dental implant has individual components screwed into them the become more universal and can be used for different purposes.

I can do and have done both mini dental implants and standard dental implants in my Macomb County Dental office but I prefer the placement of standard dental implants if there is enough bone because it is more predictable to use in my hands.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Antolak, DDS graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality and appropriate cosmetic, sedation and general dentistry in the most comfortable and gentle way possible. Because being a dentist has been a lifelong dream, Dr. Antolak has a passion for the profession. He enjoys helping people feel better about their smiles and therefore their self-image with dental implant and cosmetic dentistry. His Dental Practice is located in Shelby Township, Michigan.  For more information visit The Gentle Dentist.

Filed Under: Dental fear, Dental Implants, Dentures, General Dentistry, Health Implications, How to choose a dentist, Tooth replacement Tagged With: , , ,

Why sleep apnea and snoring can be dangerous to your health and relationships

June 21, 2009 by ·

At www.Thegentledentist.com, Dr Robert Antolak treats snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliances. These devices brings the lower jaw forward to open the airway to prevent the collapse of the airway to keep breathing easier. If you suffer from
1. snoring, gasping or jerking during sleep
2. Headaches or sore throat
3. Suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
4. Have cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks or heart failure you may have apnea.
If you are using a Cpap machine but find it cumbersome and don’t use it then oral appliance therapy can be for you. Call Dr. Antolak in shelby township Michigan, macomb county at 586.247.3500. He specializes in cosmetic, implants, and general dentistry in a relaxed and gentle atmosphere.

Filed Under: Dental Videos, General Dentistry, Health Implications, Oral Conditions, Sleeping Disorders Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Complete Dentistry-What does this mean?

August 10, 2008 by ·

I have the pleasure visiting some of our homebound senior citizens and treating them each week with our  PortableDentalServices.com dental van.  Each visit is quite powerful because it helps us get insight into our patient’s eating habits and evaluate their previous dentistry. 

This past week I had a patient who had his teeth “patched” up over his 80 years or so.  He held his dentist in high regard in that he trusted him and valued his opinion over the years.  He had lost some fillings over the past year that he thought needed to be refilled.  The truth was that he had some enormous fillings in his teeth to the point that there was nothing left to fill. 

He had a dry mouth which I find in many of my patients who are on multiple medications.  These medications dry out the mouth leaving their teeth prone to dental decay.  We usually find that when faced with chronic dry mouth these patients start sucking on candies or drinking soda to keep their mouths wet.  This exposure to sugars and refined carbohydrates are bad because they promote dental decay. 

When this home bound patient was examined he had many cavities.  Only if his dentist didn’t do him “such a favor” and do patch work he would have avoided this massive breakdown of the teeth.  Even though It is possible to get cavities under crowns he would have been best served with crowns (caps).  For patients who are at risk for these cavities they should be treated with crowns that cover the entire tooth. 

Sometimes the good intentions of some dentists to do as little as possible for a patient seems to be the best.  The reality is that broken teeth, large cavities, root canals, food traps and poor oral hygiene can be a consequence of the “let’s just watch it” attitude of some dentists.  Just be careful that when a cavity and broken filling is so large that a crown is suggested, it would be a wise decision to do so. 

So Complete Dentistry is to do the most conservative procedures but know when it is wise to invest in more invasive procedures such as crowns, implants, root canals and dental bridges.  At our office we take digital photos of the entire jaw so that you can actually see where there are areas of concern.  This way you can make the most informed decision for your best level of care.

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb county Michigan

Filed Under: Dental Emergencies, Fillings, General Dentistry, Portable Dentistry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,