Whether it is a traditional or mini implant there must be bone available to embed and hold onto the implant. But before I go further let’s get some terminology: implants are the metal core-screw that is embedded below the gum line with a portion sitting above the gum line enabling the crown-cap-tooth to attach to.
Often Oral Surgeons will do the implant and a General Dentist will do the Crown portion; unless you have a provider who is certified licensed Prosthodontist doing both the implant and crown portion. (The American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP) Diplomate Link: https://www.abpros.org/). Please do research your provider and ask them questions!
Bone graft is used to build up either the upper or lower jaw bone and can take 3 months for the graft join itself to existing bone and this is not painful, the sturdier the bone the better implant retention and success.
From what I read, seems to me that mini implants are for people who don’t have enough bone and you should ask why you are not being offered or selected for bone grafting, what is the medical reason why bone grafting is not an option for you.
Be alert to: if they are not providing bone grafting then, yes, mini implants should cost less. But ask this: what does your provider charge for traditional vs mini implant? Is there a huge difference in price? Do mini implants have the same lifespan as traditional, what is the fail rate for mini implants vs traditional? How many implants has your provider done, what is their success rate, questions need to be asked and should a provider bristle at questions consider that provider is not the right one for you.
I looked at a website and found their explanation of “benefits” of mini implants over traditional implants to be misleading with persuasive wording whose intent was to sway with terms of: less invasive procedure, faster healing time, extensive surgery, virtually no discomfort, less dental visits.
And this I found alarming: “Mini dental implants are made out of titanium and they are not subject to decay and periodontal disease” wait a minute -- only teeth can have dental decay and periodontal disease is gum disease so technically correct that titanium doesn’t decay but doesn’t the gum also grasp and help hold the implant and crown in place, right? Ask your provider questions. I have traditional implants.
