Are mini implants a temporary solution?

[Anne-Lise]

Hi

I lost one of my lower teeth about three years ago and since then, I have had a gap. Recently I decided to have an implant and saw a implant dentist regarding getting an implant in the place of the gap.

The dentist said that the bone in the region had gone and if I would like a normal implant, I would need bone grafting. He also suggested a mini implant option but he did say that the mini implant is likely to be a temporary solution and would need replacing eventually. However looking on the net, some dentists seem to be using mini implants as a permanent solution.

So I am confused, I don't know if a mini implant is a temporary or permanent solution. I would like to know if you would consider a mini implant as a temporary or permanent solution for my case?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

I very much agree with your dentist in saying that the option of mini implants is a temporary solution and not a permanent solution. If you allow me to be frank on this matter I will even go one step more and say that the option of mini implant is a complete waist of time and money simply because why should one have something temporary when a permanent solution is needed. Hence at Pearl Dental Clinic we will not even give the option of mini implant as a solution (mini implant failure: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum).

Mini implant have their own uses in some situation and they are very much used by orthodontists as a temporary measure to create anchorage for the treatment plans. But they are not designed for support to replace teeth as they are not strong enough.

Some dentist in order to try to reduce the cost of the treatment for a patient and to avoid the need for bone grafting, which is an expensive treatment and ONLY VERY FEW DENTISTS OR SURGEONS KNOW HOW TO DO IT EFFECTIVELY AND CORRECTLY, they cut corners and suggest mini implants when one should have actual proper implants. Unfortunately many patients are not aware of this and to save money they fall into the trap and go for the cheaper option. But in longer term it cost them a lot more without them realising it. Implants are the state of art technology with a very precise science. They must be followed correctly and effectively in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing. My suggestion to anyone that considering having implants is that do not fall for the cheaper options and do it correctly otherwise in short or longer term they will pay much higher cost.

This is why at Pearl Dental Clinic we do not use mini implants or give the option of it. If a patient is considering having implants they should have the best material and have it done in the correct way without cutting corners. If bone grafting is needed then bone grafting should be done (which in 90% of the cases some sort of minor or major form of it is needed). If this mean the cost will be higher and some patients may find it difficult, then they should look for ways to remedy this problem by means of finance, saving or loans etc... but not by compromising the quality of what they need. Any other alternative will only be a temporary measure.