Living with missing teeth isn’t just frustrating—it can also pose various risks to your oral health. Everyday activities like eating, speaking, and smiling become more challenging, and untreated gaps can lead to shifting teeth, jawbone loss, and a higher risk of gum disease. One of the most effective ways to replace all your missing teeth is with dentures. But with so many denture options available, you may be wondering which one is right for you. For those seeking the best in denture stability, implant dentures are a great solution. However, cost can sometimes be a concern. If you want to securely replace your teeth without the cost of treatment holding you back, mini implant dentures may be the perfect fit!
Mini Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures have been used to replace missing teeth for longer than you might think—in fact, there’s evidence of their use dating back to ancient Egypt. However, like many older technologies, they have their fair share of problems. Conventional dentures are big and bulky. They don’t look or feel like natural teeth or share the same biting power, making some foods difficult to eat. In addition, constantly removing them for cleaning increases the chance of damage or loss.
But the biggest drawback to old-fashioned dentures is that they lose their fit over time and begin to move around in your mouth while eating or speaking. This instability can cause a potentially embarrassing mishap. While messy adhesives or professional adjustments can help, they require extra time, money, and effort—hassles you shouldn’t have to deal with.
Luckily, there’s a better option that solves all those issues while offering additional health benefits: mini implant dentures. This modern innovation uses slim dental implants to securely anchor your artificial teeth to the jawbone. The result? Superior stability and functionality over traditional dentures. Because they are embedded in the jawbone, they feel and function much more like natural teeth, restoring your full biting and chewing power so you can enjoy all your favorite foods again without hesitation.
Types of Mini Implant Dentures
Mini implant dentures come in removable, semi-removable, and permanent varieties and are custom-made to fit your facial structure perfectly. In order of increasing stability, they are:
- Snap-on dentures: This option is a hybrid between traditional and implant dentures. While they use similar materials, snap-on dentures are much more secure and comfortable. Unlike conventional dentures, they attach to 4–8 mini dental implants, providing greater stability while reducing the need for a bulky plastic base. While you can remove them for cleaning, they stay firmly in place whenever you “snap” them back onto the implants. In certain instances, we can convert existing dentures to snap-on dentures if they meet the necessary criteria. Dr. Zirakian can make this determination at your free consultation.
- Fix-on-Six®: This semi-removable roundhouse bridge attaches to 6-10 mini implants—hence the name, Fix-on-Six! Designed to replace all the teeth on your upper or lower arch, it’s considered “semi-removable” because only a dentist, like Dr. Zirakian, can remove it during routine visits for cleaning. You may be familiar with All-on-4®, a similar system that uses larger conventional dental implants.
- Permanent dentures: Here, we have the most stable and functional option and the closest approximation to the look and feel of your natural teeth. We’ll anchor a non-removable roundhouse bridge to your jawbone with 10-12 mini implants. Once we cement those teeth into place, they are not removable. The artificial teeth are made from zirconia, a material ten times stronger than tooth enamel, so these dentures are built to last.
No matter which option you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your dentures will never move again!
The Benefits of Mini Dental Implants
In addition to all the benefits you gain from implant dentures, their use of mini dental implants provides even more advantages, from easier placement to better affordability.
- Minimally invasive placement procedure: If the word “implant” has you worrying about invasive surgical procedures, you can put your mind at ease. Mini implants use a much more gentle placement technique.
- Faster recovery and results: Some dental procedures can take a long time to heal before they’re functional. With mini implants, that’s not something you need to worry about. We can place mini implants and attach a restoration on the same day. Most patients experience only mild discomfort, which typically resolves within 24-48 hours.
- Better stability and stronger bite: Having more mini implants to support your denture creates multiple contact points, evenly distributing your bite force for more effective eating.
- More affordable: Since the mini implant denture process is so streamlined, we can cut down on the time you spend in the dental chair and the money you spend on your treatment. Plus, since mini implants are about half the cost of traditional implants, you get a secure, long-lasting solution for a fraction of the price.
What’s the Cost of Mini Implant Dentures?
Cost is an important consideration when it comes to dental care. At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we understand that everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why we offer options to ensure anyone can access this transformative treatment without breaking the bank.
Let’s start with dental insurance—our experienced team will review your plan so you can understand your coverage. If you’d like to finance your treatment, we’ll help you set that up, too. We partner with multiple financing companies to offer flexible monthly payment plans. These options allow you to get the treatment you need now and pay for it later.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
If the cost of mini implant dentures has been on your mind, Dr. Zirakian is here to help. With his expertise and genuine care for your oral health needs, he can guide you toward the right solution.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out today to schedule a free consultation. Discover the transformation that awaits you with mini implant dentures, and embrace the journey to a brighter, more confident smile!
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