Increasing numbers of people are opting for mini dental implants – but what exactly are they?
Praised for their ability to withstand pressure immediately, mini dental implants are narrow implants that are particularly beneficial in replacing missing small teeth and immediately stabilising lower jaw dentures.
They differ from traditional implants because they are less invasive, less costly, involve quicker and fewer visits to the dentist and require less healing time.
US dentist Dr Tracy Davis explained that, while mini dental implants are not suitable for everyone, their benefits "are immense".
"The best thing we can provide our patients as a practice is options and mini dental implants are a great option for many prosthetic dental procedures," she said.
"Imagine the benefits of having an implant placed and the custom crown cemented in the same visit."
It was reported earlier this month that the recession may have an impact on the number of dental implant procedures taking place.