Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)

In traditional implants, an abutment is attached to the titanium implant screw, and the restoration is placed on the abutment.

MDIs are approximately half the diameter of a traditional implant and use a titanium post rather than a screw. Instead of an abutment piece that supports the final restoration, MDIs use a ball and socket attachment system. The ball on the end of the titanium post (shown above) provides the attachment point for the O-ring in the replacement tooth.

Similarities between MDIs and full-size dental implants:

• The implant is inserted into the jawbone.
• The implants, once inserted into the jawbone, are fixed in place.
• The implant serves to replace the tooth root and anchor replacement teeth.
• The placement of the implant can prompt bone regeneration around the placement site.
• The implant can support one or more teeth for crowns or bridges and can also help provide support for removable lower arch dentures.

MDIs may be preferable to full-size dental implants in the following situations:

• Bone mass in the jaw is insufficient to support a full-size implant screw.
• There is a small space or gap to insert the fabricated tooth, such as an incisor instead of a molar.
• Children or young adults have congenitally missing teeth.
• Minimally invasive techniques are required due to health or other reasons.