The aim of this study was to analyse possible factors for the loss of mini-implants with diameters between 1.8 and 2.4 mm used in the stabilization of complete dentures.
Especially in atrophied mandibles, where conventional diameter implants meet their limits, mini dental implants can be a sensible solution. This is also true in patients, where an invasive procedure can pose medical risks. Thanks to the diameters of mini dental implants, which are less than 3 mm, cases where the mandible is very thin, the MDIs can be placed with a minimal invasive procedure that often does not require bone augmentation.
Although accepted in the dental practice, mini dental implant had long been seen with skepticism. But in the last years mini dental implants have attracted the attention of academics and researchers and have been followed up with studies from many different universities around the world.
The 4 year survival rates of mini dental implants used in the stabilization of the full prosthesis stand at 95% success or higher. Will mini dental implants establish themselves as a viable therapy for compromised bone volume? Interest in mini dental implants is increasing.
Partial dentures supported on natural teeth are a standards in dentistry and are used on a significant percentage in the prosthetic cases in the German population. In the future, with the improvement of dental hygiene in the population there will be less total edentulism but instead there will be an increase in the cases of partial edentulism and consequently there will be an increase in partial bridges.
From the point of view of esthetics and cost, dentures are seen as acceptable but when it comes to functionality and comfort though, the solutions are quite limited. The reason for this may be that for many patients, the high cost of treatment as well as the trauma involved make it impossible.
Mini implants have been available in Germany for over ten years. Mini dental implants have been approved for long term use and now are used in the millions. In my practice in Drensteinfurt, i have been using mini dental implants, MDIs, since 2001 in cases of the stabilization of the full prosthesis. and since 2003 I have used mini dental implants for the support of partial dentures.
Since their introduction into the German market in 2001, MDIs, mini dental implants have proven themselves as a viable solution for the stabilization of the full prosthesis. But following his presentation to the 2nd MDI user symposium in 2011, Dr. Jochen Hilgert…
