At Richard Whipple, DDS, we understand that each patient is individual in their dental and medical needs, and we strive to provide options to support them. Some of our patients suffering from loose or ill-fitting dentures and in need of dental implants have sensitive situations, which can make implant oral surgery more difficult.

With mini dental implants, we can restore your ability to chew food and help you have a smile to be proud of with less risk to your oral health. Dentists use implants to replace the root system of a missing tooth, and this connective piece is used to anchor a replacement tooth or dental appliance to the bone in your jaw. The mini dental implant system uses implants that are about half the width of standard dental implants, making their placement less invasive, and easier when healing.

Dental Implants Explained

When Dr. Richard Whipple talks to you about restoring your missing teeth with dental implants, he is referring to placing a connective piece between your jawbone and a false tooth. This connective piece is a titanium rod that will serve as an anchor for a false tooth, which allows us to bridge a permanent replacement without requiring clasps, suction, or any other means of retention. The anchor allows for a solid, firm restoration that will provide the same function and strength as a real tooth. Without this connective piece, a missing tooth cannot be permanently retained.

Implants: The Restoration of Choice

The placement of dental implants has rapidly become the restoration of choice when a patient has a missing tooth. Dental implants allow patients to have a fully restored tooth. This increases your ability to chew foods and will also stop the sorption of bone that occurs when a tooth is lost. With the advancement of implants, there have been a variety of styles that have been developed, the result is the same, but the approach is slightly different with each variation to accommodate a variety of needs. Mini dental implants work and function as regular dental implants at half the size.

Mini Dental Implants Explained

Dr. Richard Whipple can retain a variety of dental appliances using mini dental implants. Standard dental implants are between 3.4mm and 5.8mm in width. Mini dental implants measure between 1.8mm and 3.3 mm in width, which is approximately half of the width. We can use mini implants for a variety of restorations including dental crowns, dental bridges, partial dentures and full dentures. We can also retain partial and full sets of upper or lower dentures by placing a series of 4-6 mini implants along the gum line. During your consultation, we will work with you to determine the best course of action for your unique situation.

The Benefits of Mini Dental Implants

We may suggest mini dental implants for our patients who are in poorer health. The largest benefit of mini implants is that they do not require an incision to place the implant. Mini dental implants can be inserted right through the patient’s gum and into the bone. Since the implant placement process is simpler, so is the recovery process, which is also known as osseointegration. Our patients who have mini dental implants require almost no recovery time following placement and can use their dental appliance right away.

Call us today at (503) 620-6133 to schedule your dental implant consultation or to learn more about mini dental implants.