After 27 years in private practice, this is the one procedure that has truly changed the lives of our patients and dramatically improved their quality of life. Denture wearers that have not been able to eat the foods they love, or smile with confidence in years can now, in one short dental visit, have their dentures firmly and securely attached in their mouth. The key to this process is the amazing strength yet incredibly small size of these MDI’s (about the size of a toothpick). Patients can literally eat a meal with their securely fixed dentures the same day the MDI’s are placed. The minimal healing time for this procedure is measured in hours or days as opposed to the months required for the older, traditional style implants. As an added bonus, the MDI’s are less than 1/2 the cost of traditional implant systems. They truly are a “small wonder”. For more information see the MDI PATIENT GUIDE.
We look forward to seeing you and showing what the mini implant system can do for you. Remember, the consultation and necessary x-rays on your first visit with us are FREE of charge!
Q: What are MDI’s and what are they used for?
A: Mini Dental Implants (MDI’s) are miniature (only 1.8mm wide) titanium alloy fixtures that are placed in the jawbone. Traditionally, MDI’s have been used to hold denture plates in position, providing patients with the ability to eat, smile and speak with comfort and confidence. Today, the use of this non-surgical MDI’s technology has been expanded and can be used for replacing a single missing tooth or a full mouth restoration. Thousands of implants have been placed with this simple, cost effective procedure.
Q: How are MDI’s different from traditional implant systems?
A: Traditional implants require a relatively large amount of bone. They are placed by making an incision in the gum, coring out an area in the bone, placing the implant and stitching the gums back into place. It typically takes months of healing time before this type of implant can be used. MDI’s are only 1.8 mm thick (about the size of a wooden toothpick) and can therefore be placed in areas where minimal bone exists. There are no incisions or stitches needed so discomfort is minimized. Best of all, the MDI’s can be used the same day they are placed. That means that in one short visit your MDI’s implants can be placed and your denture or other prosthesis can be firmly secured to them. You may go out and eat a meal after the procedure.
Q: What are the benefits of MDI’s?
A: There are several significant advantages and benefits derived from the Mini Dental Implant system:
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•Minimal postoperative discomfort.
•They can be immediately used to firmly secure loose dentures or to replace single or multiple missing teeth. There is no delayed healing period waiting time.
•Placement is accomplished in only one brief office visit. •The palate can be removed from the upper denture in most cases.
•MDI’s help preserve the remaining jawbone.
•MDI’s can be placed in areas where minimal residual jawbone exists.
•They cost half the price of other implant systems.
•Denture patients can eat and smile with confidence. |
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Q: How are they placed?
A: Using local anesthetic and a mild sedative, we make a small access through the gum and into the first few millimeters of bone. This access point is about the size of the end of a pencil. Next, the MDI is gently threaded through this access point and down to its full extent. This requires no cutting of the gums and no stitches. Healing time is minimal and the procedure is virtually painless.
Q: How can they be so small and yet so strong?
A: The MDI’s are made of an extremely strong medical grade titanium alloy, similar to that used in the aircraft industry. This is known to be one of the strongest metals on earth.
Q: Why have I not heard more about the mini implants? Are they experimental?
A: MDI’s are not experimental. They are approved by the FDA, the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. They are for long term stabilization of dentures, crowns and bridges. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have benefited from this technology.
Q: How long have they been used?
A: The final prototype for the MDI’s was brought into full use for the public in 1999.
Q: How are they used to stabilize dentures?
A; After the MDI’s are placed, the bottom portion of the mini implant is anchored securely in the bone and the top part protrudes through the gum. When the denture is fully in place in the mouth, this top portion of the mini snaps into a rubberized retaining fixture that has been retrofitted into the denture. The denture rests gently on the tissue, but is secured to the MDI, thus resisting any natural lifting forces. The result is a secure and firmly attached denture. How many implants does it take to stabilize a denture? Typically four MDI’s are placed on the lower and six MDI’s are required to stabilize an upper denture. On the upper denture, the palate can be removed in most cases. Patients love this feature because it greatly enhances the taste of food and provides a much more natural feeling.
Q: How are MDI’s used to replace single or multiple missing teeth?
After the MDI’s are placed they act as an anchor or artificial tooth root. A single crown can be cemented on to a single MDI, or several MDI’s can be used with a fixed bridge to replace multiple missing teeth. By using a specialized technique, the MDI and the accompanying restorative prosthesis (crowns and bridges) can all be placed in one day at one short visit. |
