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What’s
the primary and most effective use for Mini Implants?
The
most effective use of this unique dental product is stabilization
of a
mandibular denture. There are approximately 50,000,000 people
in the United
States who are “edentulous” (literally meaning
lacking teeth) who struggle
daily with prosthetic devices. A majority suffers a great
deal of discomfort
as a result of loose or ill-fitting dentures. Also, many
denture wearers
simply withdraw from any type of social engagement as a
result of being
compelled to wear them. Moreover, it's not uncommon for
family members to
complain about a denture wearer’s disagreeable breath
as a result of food
being trapped and decaying under their denture prosthesis.
Successful
placement of the MDI addresses and solves all of these social
and practical
problems.
How
specifically can mini dental implants help denture wearers?
The
standard insertion protocol for mini dental implants calls
for four of
them to be gently screwed into the front of a patient’s
lower jaw, or
mandible. This is a relatively painless procedure that can
be performed by a
general dentist, requiring only a mild anesthesia. The mini
implants, which
are approximately the size of wooden toothpicks, are placed
about four
millimeters apart in the patient’s mandible. The patient’s
denture is then
carefully adjusted by the dentist to allow it to snap onto
the four mini
implants. The result? A tight fitting, completely reliable
system that
allows a patient to speak and eat with confidence. All performed
in about an
hour’s time. Because of the unique, minimally invasive
procedure, the minute
size of the implants, and the characteristic placement area,
the typical MDI
patient can enjoy a light meal within an hour’s time
from having the mini
implants placed.
I’m
somewhat aware of the tremendous forces the human jaw usually
endures during normal chewing of food. How can these tiny
implants withstand that?
It’s
true that what the dental profession calls occlusal forces
create
dynamic pressures on the human jaw. Our jaws are marvelously
designed to
adequately withstand those forces. It’s also true that
mankind has been
struggling for centuries to come up with some type of metal
or metallic
element that can efficiently withstand those forces. Most
have been outright
failures. However, approximately twenty-five years ago some
doctors around
the world began experimenting with titanium as a potential
dental medium.
Titanium is an extremely strong metal used in the construction
of aircraft
and aircraft engines. The metal, in its commercial form,
is incredibly
strong and durable. The Sendax MDI takes that metallurgical
concept to the
next level by adapting an industry approved mixture of commercially
pure
titanium, a small percentage of aluminum, and a tiny sample
of vanadium,
likewise a malleable metallic element. The result is the
strongest metal on
earth, now commonly referred to as titanium alloy. In fact,
extensive tests
conducted several years ago by the University of Alabama-Birmingham
School of Orthopedics at Dr. Sendax’s behest revealed
that the particular titanium alloy implants used in the
IMTEC Sendax MDI’s are 64% stronger than ones constructed
of commercially pure titanium. The bottom line of this
discussion area is simple: If a denture patient has sufficient
bone mass to
create a rock hard placement of the tiny implant, which
an experienced
dentist can usually determine by an initial examination,
the mini dental
implants will generally withstand normal occlusal forces
just like natural
teeth. Fractures are extremely rare, but as the case with
a person’s normal
teeth, can certainly occur.
What
about failures?
It must
be recognized that all implant systems as well as natural
teeth are
subject to potential failure due to natural causes, including
osteoporosis,
poor oral hygiene, wear and tear attrition, poor health,
heavy, stressful
biting habits, and lack of follow-up dental maintenance
care. Mini implants
similarly do not carry any actual or implied guarantee as
to longevity.
However, the loss of a mini implant is a far less critical
event to the
patient since it may be replaced at relatively minimal cost
compared to
conventional implants, and with minimal associated bone
or gum
deterioration.
How
are mini implants different?
As a
revolutionary departure from routine implant methods, mini
implants are
so narrow they are typically inserted directly through the
overlying gum
tissue and into the bone underneath. Consequently the need
to surgically cut
and “flap” open the gum tissue, routinely required
for standard implant
systems, is avoided in most MDI applications. As a result,
post-insertion
patient irritation and soreness is significantly reduced.
While all dental
implants require care during insertion to avoid encroaching
on vulnerable
nerve, sinus or bony structures, the ultra small width of
the mini implants
offers a much more comfortable margin of safety.
What
type surgery is involved?
A single,
minimally invasive surgery is needed for insertion of the
MDI mini
implants. They are then put into immediate biting or “loading”
function
thanks to their “self-tapping” design, thereby
anchoring a fixed bridge
system. As a result, it is often possible to provide the
complete mini
implant service in a single office visit. Mini dental implants
clearly
represent an enormous breakthrough for the dental implant
specialty as the
most patient-friendly, cost-effective, proven implant system
available
today.
What
will my first day be like?
Leave the denture into place until bedtime. You should not
experience any
excessive bleeding. There will be some mild discomfort but
this should be
minimal and controlled by the recommended pain medication.
The denture
should feel secure. You may eat as soon as you wish to,
but avoid
excessively hard or sticky foods at first. Upon removing
the denture, rinse
your mouth with with the provided antiseptic mouthwash and
clean around each implant fixture with a cotton swab and
toothpaste. Use a cotton swab for three days. After that,
use your ACCESS toothbrush. It has been designed to clean
your implants and gently stimulate the surrounding gum tissue.
How
do I place & remove my dentures?
The implants and O-ring fixture must be clean and free from
debris. Grasp
the denture with both hands and lightly seat the denture,
feeling that the
O-rings are resting above the ball head of the implants,
then press down
firmly and equally on both sides. Make sure that you feel
the implant heads
easily fitting each O-ring. You will feel the denture snap
into place. If
you have trouble seating your denture, first make sure that
the implants and
denture are absolutely clean. Secondly, make sure that you
feel the implants
resting over each O-ring. A light touch will give you the
best results.
Remember to push downward equally on both sides. If you
are still
experiencing difficulty, see if a family member can give
you assistance.
To remove the denture, place your thumbs under each side
of the lower
denture rim and push both sides upward at the same time.
What’s
a typical daily routine one might expect once the MDI’s
have been
placed?
As with
all dental applications, there’s a short adjustment
period during
which time you become comfortable placing and removing the
denture.
Typically, this involves removal of the lower denture in
the morning,
brushing the gums and implant area with an ACCESS curved
bristle
toothbrush, rinsing the mouth, rinsing the denture itself,
then replacing
it.
You must clean and brush the ball of the implant as if they
were your
natural teeth. As with natural teeth, food and bacterial
debris must be
removed or it will cause inflammation of the gums. In addition,
food and
debris can be forced into the O-ring fixture causing improper
seating and
loss of retention. The O-ring fixture must also be cleaned
out.
The result is a normal day’s activity for you, including
eating, talking,
taking a nap, etc. Then, in the evening, the denture is
usually removed
again, the ACCESS brush is used, and the mouth thoroughly
rinsed. The result is a fully functioning dental appliance
that works.
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