Dental implant therapy has been one of the most significant advances in dentistry in the past 25 years.  Thousands of grateful patients bear witness to the benefits derived from the opportunity to obtain a replacement for lost teeth that restores their smiles and confidence.  Many different types of implants are available.  The computer and medical worlds are working to develop smaller components.  In similar fashion, a smaller version of the dental implant has been successfully utilized in many denture cases.

These mini implants consist of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of your tooth and a retaining piece that is incorporated into the base of your denture.  The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining piece acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring.  The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force.  When seated, the denture rests gently on the gum tissue.  The implant retaining pieces allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces. In other words, your denture stays put!

Placement of the implants is accomplished quickly and easily in a process performed in the dentist’s office with local anesthesia.  Using a precise controlled, minimally invasive technique, mini implants are placed into the jawbone.  The heads of the implants protrude from the gum tissue and provide a strong, solid foundation for securing your dentures.  This one-step procedure does not involve sutures or the typical months of healing associated with surgical procedures.

The cost of these mini implants is roughly the 1/4^th the cost of a traditional implant and more cost effective than years and years of denture adhesive.  Our patients come back with smiles on their faces and great stories of being able to enjoy eating again.

Phillip Hall is a practicing general dentist in St. George.  He is also head of the St. George Craniofacial Treatment Center, and operates St. George Dental Careers, a successful dental assisting school.  Appointments for general dentistry or dentures call 656-1111.  For sleep apnea appliances or TMJ problems call 634-8338

This entry was posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 9:23 am and is filed under Phillip Hall. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.