An MDI system is made up of a miniature titanium implant that serves as the root of your tooth and a retaining fixture that is integrated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant looks like a small ball, and the retaining fixture serves as socket that includes a rubber O-ring. The O ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and fixes the denture at a predetermined level of force. When firmly seated, the denture softly rests on the gum tissue.

Placement of the implants is achieved quickly and without difficulty in a procedure performed in the dentist's office. The procedure normally takes 1-1 1/2 hours. Using an exact, controlled, minimally invasive surgical technique, MDI Implants are positioned into the jawbone. The heads of the implants project from the gum tissue and provide a durable, solid foundation for firmly fixing dentures. (upper dentures can also be fixed). It is a one step process that involves minimally invasive surgery, no sutures, stitches or the usual months of healing.

Compared to traditional dental implants, Mini Dental Implant System (MDI) are much more affordable, instead of $5000 per arch like regular dental implants, MDIs cost around60 - 70% less.

Mini Dental Implant Facts:

Mini implants are approved in the US and Canada for both transitional and long term use. The highest degree of success with minis is for the stabilization of upper and lower full and partial dentures. Mini implants are a reasonable alternative to rootform implants when cost, or lack of bone width are major considerations. Many dentists recommend either mini or rootform implants to all patients about to go into a full lower denture, since both implant types preserve bone height. Many clinicians are beginning to use them as abutments for crowns for lower incisors and upper lateral incisors.

Is age a factor?

Age or physical condition are not usually factors with regards to the success of mini implants. The short surgery, low cost and minimal post-op discomfort in addition to the ability to use the new implants right away, make this form of treatment ideal even for seniors with numerous physical ailments. The only customary age related factors that may interfere with these cases are severe osteoporosis and dementia. Acute osteoporosis may affect the bone density and reduce the likelihood that the implants will be successfully maintained. Dementia makes it challenging or impossible for the patient to cooperate during surgery, and may make it demanding for the patient to insert or remove the denture after surgery