If you’re researching mini dental implants in Orlando, FL, you may already know they come in different sizes than traditional implants. But size is only part of the story. Dr. Apel also uses a one-piece implant design, and understanding how that design works can help you better understand your treatment options. That kind of variation makes sense. The amount of bone you have and the tooth you need to replace can affect the size of the implant we use. But why would it matter if dental implants are made from one piece or several?
A mini dental implant is one continuous unit. By “continuous,” we mean that the implant extends from the portion placed in your jawbone to the small post that sits just above your gums. Dr. Apel uses mini implants because this design changes how he can plan, place, and use the implant to support your replacement tooth.
What Is a One-Piece Dental Implant? 
In many implant systems, the implant is placed in the jawbone first. A separate piece, called an abutment, is then attached to the implant. The abutment extends above the gums and supports the replacement tooth.
No matter how closely those two pieces fit together, there is still a connection point between them. At the microscopic level, a very small gap can form where the implant and abutment meet. Dentists call this a microgap.
A one-piece implant has no meeting point between the implant and abutment. There is no separate screw holding the two together because there are not two pieces to connect. From the implant in the bone to the post above the gums, the structure remains continuous.
Serving the Orlando Area With Mini Dental Implants
The one-piece design is only part of what distinguishes a mini dental implant. Its narrow diameter also affects where we can place it and how much bone needs to be disturbed during the procedure.
Mini dental implants are less than 3 millimeters wide. Their smaller diameter may allow Dr. Apel to place them in areas where there is not enough width for a larger implant. Placement begins with a small pilot opening before the implant is threaded into position.
As the implant is threaded into the bone, it can gain strong initial stability. In appropriate cases, that stability may allow us to support a temporary restoration while the bone begins to grow onto the implant surface.
The implant and the post above the gums are one continuous unit, so their position must be planned together. Dr. Apel considers where the implant can gain support in the bone and where the replacement tooth needs to sit above the gums.
What Can One-Piece Dental Implants Be Used For?
One-piece dental implants can be used for different levels of tooth loss. One implant may replace a single missing tooth. Several can help secure a denture, whether we are supporting a new appliance or adding stability to a loose one. For a full arch of missing teeth, multiple implants may support a roundhouse bridge.
The implant is still one continuous piece. What changes is how many implants we use and what they need to support.
Let’s Discuss Your Options for Mini Dental Implants in Orlando, FL
The number of pieces in a dental implant may seem like a small design detail. That is, until you understand what those pieces are doing.
With a one-piece implant, the portion in the bone and the portion supporting your replacement tooth are part of the same unit. That design gives us an option for different tooth replacement needs. You can replace one tooth, stabilize a loose denture, or restore a full arch.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Apel to learn whether mini dental implants can support the result you need.
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