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Save up to 50% with 4 and 5 star dentists by booking through Flossy.
Dentures are a great way to rejuvenate the look, structure, and function of your teeth without surgery, which is why they have long been popular in dentistry. But traditional dentures have a tendency to slip and slide around in your mouth since they only adhere to the gums.
Dental implants are an excellent alternative that provide a permanent solution, though many people sway away from them because they require extensive surgery with a challenging recovery process.
Mini dentures, or mini dental implants, are a happy medium that give you some of the security of dental implants without the complications associated with the procedure.
Here’s everything you need to know about this alternative:
Mini implant dentures replace missing teeth and replicate the look and feel of your natural teeth. These are more appropriately called “mini dental implants” because they are very similar to traditional dental implants. The main difference is that they do not need to be completely embedded into your jaw like regular implants.
With these, small posts are still drilled into your jaw, but they are only drilled in about three millimeters or less. You can think of them as smaller versions of dental implants — or mini dental implants — which is one of the main benefits of mini dentures.
Typically, mini dentures are made up of two parts: a titanium post that replaces the tooth root and an “o-ring” socket that attaches to the post. The actual post that goes into the jaw is as thin as a toothpick, yet it is still able to support a false tooth.
Dental implants are a permanent replacement option for missing teeth. Over two percent of the population between the ages of 20 and 64 have lost every single one of their teeth. Dental implants are a great solution to replace missing teeth because they are permanent.
Other tooth replacement options sit on the gum’s surface, like dentures or bridges. This makes them a bit less secure because they can only be attached with gooey adhesives. Dental implants fuse directly to the jawbone, allowing you to get very close to the strength and feel of natural teeth.
The only real difference between mini dentures and this type of implant is that mini dentures are smaller and less invasive. Traditional dental implants require you to have a very healthy jawbone and gum tissue in order to support the implants. In some cases, you even need a bone graft in order to support the titanium post.
Conventional dental implants are made of two pieces with a diameter between 3.25mm and 5 mm. Mini implants, on the other hand, are only the diameter of a toothpick: 3mm or less. This makes them more accessible for people who may be unable to get a true dental implant.
The techniques used for mini implant placement are less invasive and less involved, and you may only need a local anesthetic. Mini implants are placed over the gum surface when placed into the bone, whereas conventional implants are placed underneath the gums, meaning that the standard implant procedure is much more invasive.
Mini dentures don’t require an abutment. This means that they require less time to receive and less time to heal. Mini implants can usually be placed in one sitting, and they do not require sutures.
Conventional implants can take months and require at least two appointments. The healing process is a little more challenging.
With that said, conventional implants will give you a more secure fit just based on the nature of the post diameter. However, mini implants are still very strong, so you don’t need to worry if this is the option you choose.
There are a few different circumstances why you should get some mini dentures. Mainly, you might consider getting these for the shorter recovery time and the less invasive surgery compared to traditional implants. They can be used for both upper dentures and lower dentures, as well.
Mini dental implants are an excellent alternative to traditional dental implants for people who cannot get regular dentures because of restrictions like the inability to undergo invasive surgery or jaw bone density issues. They can be a good fit for people struggling with bone loss due to osteoporosis as well.
Mini dental implants are good options for people with missing teeth that are looking for a more permanent solution compared to dentures or bridges. They are more cost-effective compared to traditional implants.
In order to be a suitable candidate for mini dentures, you need to have healthy gum tissue without periodontal disease. You need to be able to undergo local anesthesia in order for the procedure to feel comfortable throughout.
One of the biggest drawbacks of getting dental implants is the cost. On average, the cost of a single dental implant with a porcelain crown is anywhere between $3,500 to $6,500, which is inaccessible for many people. Mini dentures are more cost-effective, ranging anywhere from about $1,000 to $1,500 per implant.
While that’s a much smaller price tag, it’s still a lot of money, especially when you’re hoping to replace multiple teeth. The high price of implants is usually due to a combination of the materials used plus the complexity of the placement process.
As far as insurance coverage, it’s not as simple as you might think. Many insurance companies view implants as a cosmetic procedure rather than a medically necessary procedure, meaning that some providers will only cover some or none of the associated costs. With that said, some insurance companies consider implants medically necessary and might cover some of the cost.
Either way, insurance can cost more than meets the eye when you take monthly premiums and fees into consideration. For some, the cost of insurance might add up to the cost of implants in the first place.
No insurance? Perfect. Flossy is made for people without insurance to help them access dental care without prohibitive cost barriers. No annual fees, no monthly premiums, and no hidden fees — so the price you see is the price you pay. Not to mention, we can save you up to 50% on the average out-of-pocket costs of dental care.
All of our providers are vetted against a rigorous set of criteria, so you can rest assured that you’re getting high-quality care despite the low prices. All of our providers have to have degrees from accredited dental programs, enthusiastic patient reviews, and exceptional knowledge of their craft.
Why wait to get the care you’ve been wanting? Book your appointment with top dentists in your area and get dental implants at just half the out-of-pocket costs.
Mini implants and conventional implants have the potential to last a lifetime, but that will only happen if you care for them properly. Mini implants need the same care that natural teeth do, which means you need to brush and floss twice a day.
Even though dental implants can’t get cavities like natural teeth, your gums are still susceptible to gum disease and other ailments. Brushing and flossing help you keep your oral health in top shape.
Make sure you visit your dentist for checkups twice a year. Not only will this allow a dentist to monitor how your implants are looking, but it will also give you an opportunity to address any concerns you might have.
Flossy is by far the best way to save money on out-of-pocket costs associated with getting dental implants. But it’s not the only way. If you’re trying to save some dough, you can try one of these alternatives:
All those talented dentists in our network had to learn from somewhere, and dental schools are where the newest generations of top dental staff are currently learning their craft. In order to get the practice they need, these students need to conduct procedures on real people.
Dental students can’t take any money for their services since they’re still in school, so when you get services at a dental school, you usually only need to pay for the cost of materials. This helps save you a lot of money overall.
The only downside is that dental students obviously do not have as much experience as licensed professionals — but a licensed professional will always be monitoring your procedure to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Also, know that dental implants might not be offered by dental schools, but it’s still worth a try. Regardless, you can always go to a dental school for regular exams and cleanings.
Dental savings plans are a convenient option if you have one dental provider that you tend to visit often. These plans are offered by some dentists to help you save on services by paying them a flat monthly rate. It’s sort of like insurance, but the main difference is that you can only go to a single provider.
This makes it challenging to get mini implants because these providers typically only do in-patient procedures. You probably would need an orthodontist for help getting implants, which might not be covered under your discount plan.
Mini implants are definitely one of the more expensive dental procedures out there, but your dentist wants to help you. It never hurts to have a discussion with them about how they might be able to lower the price. They might be able to re-work a treatment plan and remove certain parts if it means it can save you some money.
Mini dentures, or mini implants, are non-invasive alternatives to traditional implants for replacing lost teeth. These attach to the jawbone directly for a secure fit, but unlike regular implants, these are only about the diameter of a toothpick. This makes for a more comfortable experience from start to finish.
They’re also a little less expensive than regular implants at around $1,000 to $1,500 per implant. But even at the lower price point, this is still largely inaccessible for most people without dental insurance.
Flossy is a pay-as-you-go alternative to insurance that can save you up to 50% on the out-of-pocket costs associated with dental work. From x-rays to cleanings, bridges to crowns, you can have access to necessary treatments without worrying about the price.
No insurance? Flossy is here: book your appointment with top dentists in your area and get started towards the care you’ve been waiting for.
Sources:
Periodontal Disease | Oral Health Conditions
Dental implant surgery | Mayo Clinic
Tooth Loss in Adults (Age 20 to 64) | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research