There are a lot of dentists promoting the use of mini implants. They are advertised as being simple to place, fast, and cheap.

Many people have an inherent skepticism when they hear these promotions. The mini implants have a great marketing appeal. But dental implants need to withstand a lot of stress. You know that teeth have a substantial root structure—they don't have spindly roots. There's a reason for that. A skinny root is simply not strong enough to support a tooth.

On the right is a photograph of a conventional root form next to a mini implant. When you imagine the lateral stresses that these root forms need to withstand, it is only intuitive that minis may not be strong enough. It isn't just that the fixture itself might break—it's more that there isn't enough surface area for adequate bony support. A root form needs the same amount of bony support that a tooth root needs.

Mini implants simply have too high a failure risk, and Dr. Chal doesn't recommend their use. Many reputable implant dentists refuse to place them, including Dr. Carl Misch, the author of the leading dental implant textbook. They have a strong marketing appeal. But Dr. Chal believes in long-lasting dentistry. In some cases, minis can help stabilize a removable denture. But they can't be relied on for complete support of a prosthesis.

It is unlikely that mini implants would serve well for you, but if you'd like Dr. Chal's highly trained opinion, feel free to call to set up an appointment at (602) 957-5000, or click here to visit our make an appointment page.