Dental Implants
Mini Dental Implants in Gladstone
A slimmer way to steady your smile.
Mini implants are narrow posts placed in the jaw to give a denture something firm to hold onto. For many denture wearers, they turn a set that shifts into one that clicks into place.
Exceptional Dentistry in Gladstone, MO
Small posts with a specific job
A mini dental implant works on the same principle as a standard implant but in a slimmer form. It is typically a single narrow post whose top sits just above the gumline, often shaped like a small ball or fitted with a low attachment. A denture is modified with matching sockets on its underside, so it presses down over the posts and holds instead of floating on the gums. Because the posts are narrower, they can sometimes be placed where the jawbone is too thin for a standard implant, although that depends on a careful look at your bone. Your dentist will compare mini and standard dental implants with you before recommending either.
Where they fit
How mini implants are used
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Steadying a lower denture
The most common use: anchoring a lower denture that lifts or slides when you eat or talk.
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Holding an upper denture
In some cases, mini implants may help retain an upper denture as well, depending on the bone.
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Replacing a small tooth
A narrow gap, such as a small front tooth, may suit a mini implant topped with a crown.
Your visit, from planning to placement
Every mini implant starts with a clear picture of the bone it will sit in.
- A consultation and exam, including your current denture if you wear one
- Imaging with cone beam CT to see the height and width of the bone
- A plan for where each post should go to support the denture evenly
- Placement of the posts in the jaw
- Fitting the denture with attachments that seat over the posts
Dental implant consultation
$50
A $608 value
Missing teeth? For only $50, our team will evaluate your oral health and guide you through your implant options. Your consultation includes:
- Comprehensive oral exam
- 3D X-rays (CT scan) for precise planning
- Panoramic X-rays
- Personalized implant treatment plan
- Detailed information on the procedure
- Answers to all your questions
Mini or standard: how the choice is made
Standard implants are wider and are generally used to support individual implant retained crowns, bridges and fixed full-arch teeth. Mini implants are more often used to hold a removable denture. If you want a denture that stays put but still comes out for cleaning, you may also want to read about implant supported dentures, which use standard implants for the same purpose. The right choice depends on your bone, your bite and what you want your teeth to do.
Why choose Marx Family Dental for mini implants?
We plan mini implants around the denture they will hold, so the posts and the appliance work as one. You see your imaging, hear the reasoning behind the recommendation and get time to decide.
Book a consultation
Ask whether mini implants could steady your denture
If your denture moves more than you would like, schedule an implant consultation. Together we will check the bone, look at how your denture fits today and map out the choices that make sense for you.
The short answer
Mini dental implants are narrow implant posts, slimmer than standard implants, placed in the jawbone to hold a denture or a small replacement tooth. Each post sits just above the gumline with a small attachment, and the denture is fitted with matching sockets so it presses down over the posts and holds instead of floating on the gums. They are most often used to steady a lower denture that lifts or slides, and planning starts with an exam and cone beam CT imaging of the bone.
Mini Dental Implants FAQ
- How are mini implants different from regular implants?
- Mini implants are narrower than standard implants and are usually a single piece with an attachment built into the top. Standard implants are wider and typically have a separate connector that holds a crown, bridge or denture. Because they are slimmer, mini implants can sometimes be placed where the jawbone is too thin for a standard implant. Mini implants are more often used to hold a removable denture, while standard implants generally support crowns, bridges and fixed teeth.
- Can I keep my current denture?
- Sometimes an existing denture can be fitted with attachments to work with mini implants. The denture is modified with sockets on its underside that seat over the posts. Whether that works depends on the denture’s condition and how well it fits today. Your dentist will check both before deciding.
- Will my denture still come out?
- Yes, a denture on mini implants can still be removed. It snaps onto the posts and can be taken out for cleaning, then pressed back into place. That is the difference from a fixed set of teeth, which stays in the mouth. Many people like having a denture that stays put while eating and talking but still comes out at night.
- How do I care for mini implants?
- Clean around each post daily with a soft brush, and clean the denture and its attachments as well. Keeping the area around the posts clean helps keep the gums healthy. Regular checkups let the attachments be inspected and replaced when they wear. Worn attachments can make the denture feel looser than it should.
- How do I know if mini implants are right for me?
- Whether mini implants are right for you depends on your bone, your gums and your goals. An exam with three-dimensional imaging is the way to find out, because it shows the height and width of the bone where the posts would go. Your dentist will walk you through the findings and compare mini and standard implants with you. You get time to decide before anything is placed.
Your dentist
Meet Dr. Emily Marx
A skilled family dentist, Dr. Marx is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable while achieving their best smile. Meet Dr. Marx
