Are Mini Implants a Good Option for Loose Dentures?

Beverly asks:

My mother is 81 and has both upper and lower dentures. She feels she cannot eat properly because it feels like they will fall out, even when using adhesive. She has had both dentures relined several times to keep up with her shrinking gums. I did some research online and discovered mini implants. Would these be her answer? How do these work exactly? Assuming she has enough bone structure left, would it be worth the money? And is it really just a one time procedure where you walk out with everything the first day?

Answered by: Dr. Michael Tischler

Woodstock, NY

Dear Beverly,

Mini implants are certainly one option that would improve the stability of your mothers loose dentures. At any age eating and speaking comfortably is important.

Mini implants are narrow diameter implants that are around 2.5mm wide. These narrow implants are then placed in the bone and the denture is then relined so that the implants can help support it. The upper jaw requires more implants than the lower jaw. In my practice I like to let the implants integrate with the bone for a period of 3-4 months. A denture can still be worn during this time period but the mini implants would not be used.

Realize that these mini implants will not take the denture off of the gum tissue in the back of the mouth. This means that although they will help secure the denture, they will not completely stabilize it.

Wider implants that are connected by a bar are a more secure manner to create a stable denture. This "bar overdenture" option is more expensive and requires a more involved surgery and a longer time period. If your mother wanted the most stable option possible and her health was good, then this might be a better option.