Can I get all or some mini implants rather than all regular implants to replace three missing teeth?

Question

A crown and post from a root canal in my upper left, first bicuspid broke recently and I need to get the tooth replaced.  Over 20 years ago, I had 4 wisdom teeth removed.  The bottom right tooth was very impacted and the adjacent molar was cracked in the removal process.  I got root canal on that cracked molar (again 20 years ago), but to save me money, the tooth was filled rather than getting a post and crown.  Recently, that filled molar cracked and cause an infection that required both the remaining molars on the right side to be removed.

I'm getting the three teeth replaced, but the cost of three dental implants, posts and crowns is scary.  I'm wondering if mini dental implants might be an option for one or more of the missing teeth. Can I do a combination of regular implants and minis? Or maybe I just don't need to have that many regular implants? Any thoughts? Thanks!

Answer 1

Mini implants are not designed to withstand the masticatory forces of chewing. It is in your best interest and for the longevity of your investment, to save or finance wide body implants for the posterior teeth.

Answer 2

The difference in cost when comparing mini implants versus traditional diameter implants is deceiving. The cost associated with removing failed mini-implants when not used in appropriate situations far exceeds the cost of using traditional methods. The indications to use mini-implants are considerably smaller than many of the implant companies lead dentists and patients to believe. I remove a fair number of mini-implants due to the fact that the mini-implants are being used as a less expensive alternative in situations not suitable for a small diameter implants. There are legitimate indications for mini-implants and patients can benefit a great deal. Posterior (back) teeth bear most of the load when chewing food. This has to be taken into consideration when an implant is placed in this location.

Ken Templeton DDS
Tulsa, OK
www.revitalizeimplants.com/
918-508-2121