What is the difference between mini implants & Straumann Implants?

[Gabriela]

I am considering having two implants placed to replace two missing back teeth. Can someone tell me what is the difference between mini implants and Straumann Implants?

[admin]

Mini implants are short implants that are designed to be used for complete denture retention or for orthodontic anchorage (retention). Often four to six mini implants are used to make a complete denture more retentive and not need denture glue.

When one or more mini implants become loose, the denture still stays in as the other mini implants keep the denture in. Those loose mini implants are then removed and new ones placed to keep the denture in.

Mini implants are completely different to Straumann Implants. Mini implants are not long enough to provide sufficient retention for a single crown or a bridge, whereas Straumann Implants are designed to hold crowns and bridges on top of them. Mini implants have a higher incidence of failure compared to Straumann Implants and become loose more often.

We would not recommend placing mini implants in the anterior smile zone as their cosmetics is inferior or in the back of the mouth where the bite forces are too high for mini implants. The use of mini implants is restricted to orthodontic anchorage cases and compelete denture retention cases.