Dental News - Why you’re missing out if you’re avoiding the use of mini-implants

Allan Fuhr, USA

Wed. 18 September 2013

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Mini-implant dentistry has long been a controversial topic, which has steered many dental practitioners across the world away from reaping the multitude of benefits of mini-implant dentistry. They miss out on the benefits to both their practices and to their patients. Despite nearly 25 years in the marketplace, the mini-implant system is still not being used by most practitioners. Why?

This article, and a series of upcoming webinars, will dispel these myths and debunk the many misconceptions about the use of the mini-implant in everyday dental practice.

Myth No. 1: “Mini-implants have the same ‘limitations of use’ as standard root-form implants,” i.e.; health issues, anatomical issues and financial issues.

With an ever-expanding aging global population of potential patients, it is our responsibility to bring the well-accepted benefits of implant dentistry to this group, emphasizing a minimally invasive procedure, doable with minimal available bone and at an affordable cost. Additionally, most medical concerns do not compromise the use of the MDI system and its minimally invasive protocol.

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Myth No. 2: “A major concern with MDI placement is violating the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), hence causing a temporary or permanent paresthesia.”

Pre-operative treatment planning, including use of a panoramic radiograph, diligent intra-oral digital examination, use of the MDI clear overlay measuring guide and adherence to proper surgical protocol should ensure safe implant positioning away from the mental foramen, as well as the inferior alveolar nerve.

Remember, an inferior alveolar nerve block is never recommended, as it negates the patient’s ability to advise the dentist that he/she is feeling discomfort, hence not allowing for the repositioning of the implant at the time of placement.

Myth No. 3: “During mini-implant placement, lingual and buccal plate perforation is a common occurrence.”

Another anatomical misconception with placement of MDIs is the ability during placement to perforate the lingual or buccal plates of bone and/or the cortical bone in the floor of the sinus or nasal cavity. This is not factual. The 3M ESPE MDI is neither designed nor capable of advancing itself through cortical or Type 1 (D-1) bone.

Myth No. 4: “Mini-dental implants often fracture during placement.”

The 3M ESPE Mini-Dental Implants, of all diameters and all lengths, are manufactured with the highest standards within the industry, often exceeding acceptable tolerances by the FDA. The manufacturing process utilizes the strongest titanium alloy version Ti-6A1-4Va available, assuring biocompatibility with the lowest level of rejection. When placed using the specific guidelines and protocol by the manufacturer, as well as due diligence of the operator, the likelihood of fracture is nearly impossible.

Myth No. 5: “Mini-dental implants are only a temporary, not permanent, solution for support of prosthesis because MDIs do not fully osseointegrate.”

Fact is, more so than with standard root-form implants that require a larger osteotomy site and three to six months of healing before osseointegration occurs, mini-dental implants have the advantage of an initial stability when placed, due to the self-tapping capability and osseoapposition, with torque readings in excess of 35 Ncm, in addition to having a titanium blasted acid-etched surface that allows for complete osseointegration in the same time span as traditional root-form implants.

Therefore, mini-dental implants can usually be loaded and used the same day as placement, affording the patient a speedier prosthodontic result.

Note: This article was published in Implant Tribune U.S. Edition, Vol. 8 No. 9, September 2013 issue.

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