Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) or Small-Diameter Implants differ from traditional ones in size. Although they are less invasive and more affordable, they can hardly be considered a budget-friendly alternative to regular implants. This is because such artificial roots usually cannot withstand chewing loads and will not last long.
Nevertheless, they are still used in dentistry.
What are Mini Dental Implants?
Mini dental implants are smaller versions of traditional dental implants. Typically, a mini implant is about half the width of a regular one, measuring from 1.8 mm to 3 mm in diameter. They consist of a tiny titanium post placed into the jawbone.
Traditional dental implant screws are made of two parts and measure between 3.25 mm and 5 mm in diameter.
Why Mini Dental Implants Are Not Suitable for Long-Term Prosthetics
Traditional implants can last a lifetime. Mini implants, however, have a limited lifespan. They are not a reliable support for permanent crowns, bridges, or removable dentures.
For this reason, they are rarely used in prosthodontics — only in cases where there is a severe lack of bone tissue and no possibility of bone augmentation.
If there are no contraindications for classical implantation, full-sized implants should always be the preferred choice.
How Mini Dental Implants Are Used in Dentistry
Orthodontic Micro-Implants
Mini implants, also called micro-implants, are used in orthodontics to speed up the alignment of teeth with braces and to correct bite issues faster.
An implant is attached to the gums and serves as an anchor, providing additional support for the braces. Mini implants are removed together with the braces once treatment is complete.
Temporary Prosthetics
In practice, mini implants are often used for the placement of temporary removable or fixed dentures.
They are usually applied when it is necessary to hide the absence of a tooth and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting before placing a permanent implant. In such cases, a temporary crown is placed on the mini implant. Later, this construction is replaced with a traditional implant-supported restoration.
For a short period, mini implants can hold dentures in place — but only until a full-sized implant with a permanent prosthesis is placed after osseointegration.
Mini implants can also help edentulous patients (those with no teeth at all) by securing a removable denture in place, providing support and improving quality of life. This approach allows patients to feel more confident and not worry about their dentures slipping.
Single-Tooth Restoration in Specific Areas
A mini implant with a 2.9 mm diameter is ideal for restoring a single incisor or canine. It is used in narrow spaces between teeth, mainly in the front area (incisors, canines), where there is not enough width for a standard implant and the jaw experiences minimal bite force.
Dental implantation is a life-changing step. It can improve your health — not only oral health — and give you the smile of your dreams. Trust the professionals at YAREMA DENTAL, who will recommend the most suitable restoration method for you.