I had the opportunity to sit down with a patient who is very unhappy with her existing lower denture.

She has had it for a year and has had to have it realigned multiple times throughout the year. Nothing we could do or what the previous dentist could do could help her out. Our patient has a very small ridge for her denture to rest on, plus there are the lips, cheek muscles, and the tongue moving around and bumping into the denture to displace it.

There is a solution for her loose denture. I talked with her about placing small diameter implants in her mouth that will secure the denture into place and not allow it to move. She was so excited to know about this procedure.

Here is a little bit more information about small diameter implants:

One of the newest branches in implant dentistry is the small diameter, or commonly known as the “mini”, implant. “Mini” implants have a diameter size ranging from 3.5mm and below, whereas the standard-sized implants have a diameter size of 3.75mm to 6.0mm.

The “mini” implant is a great alternative for those patients who otherwise could not be served with the “traditional” standard-sized implants. The “mini” implant is a great implant for those patients who have minimal bone (or bone loss), the patient does not want a bone graft, or where the standard-sized implants cannot be placed.

The best part about the “mini” implant is how minimally invasive the procedure is in placing the implants. The small diameter implants are a wonderful procedure, however, they do have their limitations. “Mini” implants are not traditionally used for single tooth restoration due to the excessive forces that are applied to one tiny implant. However, with a couple of implants placed, “mini” implants have proven an invaluable service for complete and partial denture retention. This means no more moving lower denture or no more metal clasps visible with a partial denture.