Mini Dental Implants in North Carolina

Providing innovative mini implant treatment in Durham, Raleigh, and Goldsboro.

The American College of Prosthodontists estimates that approximately 178 million Americans are missing one or more permanent teeth. If you’re one of them, you may be looking for a reliable tooth replacement solution. While dental implants are effective for the long term, not everyone can undergo conventional implant surgery. Conventional implants demand ample space in the jawbone, and their placement involves invasive surgical techniques. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional dental implants, we encourage you to consider mini dental implants. These small-diameter implants boast the same effectiveness as conventional implants without the intimidation of invasive and costly surgery.

What Are Mini Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal rods that replace the roots of missing teeth. Inserted in the jawbone, dental implants provide a sturdy base for dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

A traditional dental implant is made of two pieces. The screw is surgically embedded in the jaw, while the abutment connects the restoration to the screw. While these implants effectively replace missing teeth, their size poses issues for individuals suffering from bone loss and those anxious about invasive dental surgery.

Mini dental implants are a reliable modern alternative to conventional dental implants. These implants are a single titanium screw with an integrated connector. Not only do they improve on the design of traditional implants, but they are much narrower. While a conventional implant is about 5 mm in diameter, mini implants measure less than 3 mm wide. That is the difference between the eraser on a pencil and the tip of a crayon.

The Benefits of Mini Dental Implants

Like conventional implants, mini implants have many applications, allowing us to use them for diverse tooth loss needs. However, because of their single-piece design and small size, they offer unique advantages that traditional implants can’t match.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

36% of Americans fear dental visits, and many more experience some level of dental anxiety. We take this apprehension seriously at Carolina Dental Arts, and it’s one of the reasons we offer mini implants. The procedure for mini dental implants is much more patient-friendly than the process for conventional implants.

Placing even one conventional implant requires surgical techniques like incisions and stitches. When placing the implant in the jaw, an incision is made in the gums. The implant is then screwed into the jawbone, and the gum flaps are stitched back together.

On the other hand, we can place mini implants using minimally invasive methods. Instead of cutting the gums open, we create a tiny pilot hole directly through them. This technique is possible because of the slim implant post. Once the hole is made, we simply screw the implant in place. This method results in very little bleeding, and because no incision is required, we don’t need to use stitches.

As you might expect, the mini dental implant procedure is much more comfortable and has a lower risk of complications. These are important features for patients with anxiety about painful procedures or those who are not eligible for complex oral surgery. Additionally, our less invasive techniques make for smoother and quicker healing.

Quick Results

Traditional dental implants take months to complete. For some people, the process begins with a bone graft to add volume to their jawbones before the implant surgery. The jawbone must heal fully before implant placement can begin, which takes about three to six months. Once the jaw has recovered, the screw can be inserted. However, the bone has to completely fuse around the implant before a final restoration can be attached. This process, called osseointegration, takes another three to six months. If you are looking for an efficient tooth replacement solution, this drawn-out process can be disheartening.

Fortunately, mini dental implants offer swift results. Thanks to their slim design, they don’t require the same lengthy healing period. In fact, mini dental implants are “immediate loading implants,” meaning that they exhibit immediate strength once inserted in the jaw. This allows us to provide same-day tooth replacement for eligible patients. In as little as one visit, we can place your implant(s) and mount a temporary restoration. No more waiting months for results!

Jawbone Preservation

Owing to their small size, mini dental implants are particularly beneficial for small spaces in the jaw and for patients with narrow jawbones. Individuals who have dealt with tooth loss for many years are especially likely to have a weak or narrow jaw. This is because the bone begins to recede when the tooth roots are no longer present to provide essential stimulation.

Unfortunately, without a strong jawbone, traditional dental implants are not viable.

Not only are mini implants an excellent option for patients who have experienced bone loss, but they also prevent further jawbone deterioration. They safeguard your bone’s health by stimulating the jaw the same way natural tooth roots do when you bite and chew. The stimulus stops the bone from weakening, preventing functional issues and changes to your facial appearance.

Proven Success

Mini dental implants are an innovative solution that improves upon traditional dental implant options. They are just as successful as conventional implants while boasting additional benefits. With proper care measures, your mini dental implants can last many years—even a lifetime.

Lower Costs

Mini dental implants are notably less expensive than traditional implants, costing half as much in many cases. With so many benefits, a cost reduction may be surprising, but it is largely because their placement procedure is less complex and invasive. This efficiency cuts down on time and resources, directly lowering treatment costs. Additionally, their design eliminates the need for bone grafts, even in patients with lower bone density, further reducing expenses.

However, we recognize that even with a more affordable option, the cost of dental care is a key consideration for our patients. We will work with you to determine what your insurance plan covers and help you get the most out of your benefits. We also collaborate with dental financing companies to provide flexible financing options that can help make your procedure manageable.

Experience Comfort and Convenience With Mini Dental Implants

Life changes when you lose even one tooth. Fortunately, those changes don’t have to be permanent. With mini dental implants, we can replace missing teeth without the hassle, constraints, and financial commitments associated with conventional dental implants. If you are looking for a long-lasting, reliable tooth replacement solution, we can help!

Are you are ready to enjoy your favorite meals, laugh freely, and smile confidently again? Schedule a free consultation with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone with sufficient jawbone space can be a good candidate for mini dental implants. Because of their small size, many more people are eligible for mini implants than conventional ones.

While mini implants are an excellent choice for a variety of scenarios, we recommend implants only after the jawbone has fully developed.

Yes, we can place mini dental implants in a single day for patients who meet the necessary criteria. This streamlined procedure is possible due to the less invasive nature of mini implants compared to traditional implants. Mini implants require less bone structure for placement, significantly reducing the procedure duration and the recovery period.

During the procedure, we can place the mini implants without making extensive incisions or using sutures. This technique makes the process quicker and more comfortable for the patient.

Mini implants are a budget-friendly choice when considering the best tooth replacement options. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t as strong or durable as traditional implants. Their price reduction—often half the cost of conventional implants—is due to several factors:

  1. Mini implants are smaller, one-piece implants. That means they do not require as much material.
  2. The procedure for placing mini implants is less invasive and can be completed in a shorter amount of time.
  3. Due to their simpler placement, fewer visits to the dentist are needed for mini implants.
  4. The healing and recovery time is shorter, reducing costs for follow-up care and pain management.

While mini implants are a more affordable option, we recognize that the cost of dental treatments can be a barrier to some of our patients. We collaborate with financing companies to offer flexible payment plans for various budgets.

Our team is here to help you navigate your insurance and financing options to ensure you can afford your necessary treatment. If you’re considering mini implants and worried about the expenses, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re committed to making your journey to a better smile as affordable and transparent as possible.

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Insurances We Accept

Our Locations

Carolina Dental Arts - Durham Location - Durham North Carolina Dentist

Durham

415 Dunstan Avenue
Durham, NC 27707

(919) 683-1847 View Location

Glenwood South

301 Glenwood Ave, Suite 210
Raleigh, NC 27603

(919) 670-4944 View Location
Goldsboro Dental Office Carolina Dental Arts North Carolina

Goldsboro

2720 Graves Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27534

(919) 778-0098 View Location
Carolina Dental Arts - New Bern Ave - Dentist in North Carolina

New Bern Ave

3110 New Bern Ave, Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27610

(984) 242-0568 View Location

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