Factors that affect the Success of Mini-Dental Implant Procedures


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Whenever anyone is looking to arrange any kind of medical or dental procedure, they are bound to have concerns about the likelihood of that procedure’s success. Even the simplest procedure carries with it an inherent risk of failure, and will be subject to a plethora of different factors all influencing the outcome of the treatment. Mini-dental implants, despite their diminutive size and the relative simplicity of the surgery by which they are fitted, are also subject to a variety of different factors which can influence how successful the procedure can be. In this article we look at what can affect the success of this particular procedure, and how you can improve your chances of success to make the most of the time, effort, and money that goes into the treatment.

What affects the likelihood of success?

A successful mini-implant procedure is one in which a mini-implant has successfully fused with the jawbone to form a lasting and dependable base. This acts as an artificial root to support dental prosthetics, improving their functionality and comfort. This would also mean that the procedure has been performed without complications like unwanted injury or infection to the area being operated upon. These are all real possibility which can impact how well a mini-implant procedure goes, and ultimately the long term health and safety of a person’s mouth.


As with any surgery, the quality of the dentist or oral surgeon performing the procedure is key to a successful and lasting mini-implant procedure. Experience, training, and skill can all weigh in to a dentist’s ability to place an implant successfully, and more experienced professionals with a proven track record of success will often cost more. There are training requirements which all dentists in the UK must meet before being able to perform a procedure like this, so any dentist who is legally able to offer mini-implants will be able to do so successfully and with skill. That being said, experience is naturally an important factor, and if you can it is always advisable to look into a number of dentists for a candidate with the experience that makes for an improved chance of success.

Unsurprisingly the general and oral health of the patient in question are also critical to the chances of success. General health involves areas like immunity and the body’s ability to recover after a surgery. Fortunately mini-implants are inserted into the mouth through a much less invasive procedure than their full sized counterparts, therefore there is less demand on the body when it comes to healing and repairing the site of surgery. That being said, this is still a factor, and a person suffering from general health issues like reduced immunity or bleeding problems will face difficulties when recovering from the surgery, ultimately affecting the chances of a successful surgery.

Oral health is undoubtedly one of the most crucial factors affecting the chances of a successful treatment. Implants can develop a condition called peri-implantitis in mouths with poor hygiene, or where a patient doesn’t follow their dentists’ instructions on how to care for the mouth after the procedure.

This condition involves the inflammation of the bone or soft tissues around the implant site, and is typically the consequence of a lasting infection. Infections of the mouth are a consequence of poor oral hygiene, and are otherwise known by terms like gingivitis, gum disease, periodontal disease, caries, or plaques, all of which refer to various stages of illness that can have a profound effect on the mouth’s ability to recover post-surgery.

Peri-implantitis is also more likely to occur where poor lifestyle choices, a major factor affecting the likelihood of surgical success, like smoking and poor diet, are involved. The condition is also prevalent in diabetics, however this is more because of the effects the disease has on the general health of an individual.

Peri-implantitis is usually a sign of the failure of the procedure, particularly where the inflammatory condition causes an extensive withdrawal of bone from the implant. As mentioned earlier, success is marked by the fusion of implant and bone, and peri-implantitis doesn’t allow for this.

Smoking is a major risk factor in implant failure, and in many cases a dentist will not offer the treatment unless a person has quit smoking. This is an understandable step to take as the procedure is costly and smoking dramatically reduces the chances of success, perhaps more so than any other one factor.

In some cases general factors like wear through regular use can cause the surgery to fail in the long run, however this is relatively rare. There are a very small number of cases which involve rejection of the implant by the body, a phenomenon which occurs when the body recognises and attacks foreign materials, treating them like infectious agents.

As this section has undoubtedly shown, there are very many factors which can work to influence the short and long term success of a mini-implant procedure. In the next section we will discuss some simple steps that can be taken to improve the likelihood of success, thereby helping you make the most of the time and money put into the treatment.

How can I improve the chances of a successful mini-implant procedure by addressing these factors?

The best ways of improving your chances of a successful implant procedure are by first finding a dentist with the experience needed for a high quality treatment, and then following their instructions on how to care for your mouth after surgery to the letter.

Good oral care is one of the best ways to prevent infection and promote healing around the sites of implantation. Alongside this good nutrition and avoiding overly sugary foods which promote bacterial growth and health, as well as bad habits like smoking, can hugely improve the chances of success.

You will need to attend regular follow up appointments arranged by your dentist to monitor the progress of the implant in healing and adapting to your mouth. You will also need to keep an eye on your mouth for any tell-tale signs of inflammation, or any other signs or indications your dentist will warn you about.

There are always factors involved in any surgery that are out of your control, but by following your dentist’s instructions and advise you can make sure that the ones that you can influence work in your favour. A successful mini-implant procedure will offer you benefits that can last a lifetime, and are therefore well worth the effort of looking after yourself.

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