Sometimes, attempting to solve a problem is like tugging on a loose thread—you expect to fix the snag, but instead, the whole pattern begins to unravel. You started with one question, maybe two. But when you try to answer these questions, they multiply, twist, and split into smaller ones. The solution you were after now sits further back, half-obscured by everything you didn’t know you didn’t know. Tooth replacement can feel a lot like that. As you dig into options—traditional dentures, bridges, implants—it’s easy to feel like each answer brings more complexity. At Mint Mini Dental Implants, we can help you find the best solution for your smile—one that fits not only your dental needs but your lifestyle, budget, and long-term comfort.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just looking for a straight answer, we’re here to help untangle the noise and address the questions that keep circling in your mind.
When Is the Best Time To Get Dental Implants?
Imagine your jawbone as a ticking clock. The moment you lose a tooth, the countdown begins.
That might sound dramatic, but it’s how your body naturally responds to tooth loss. When a tooth is missing—whether from decay, trauma, or extraction—the surrounding bone (called the alveolar bone) starts to shrink. Why? Because that bone has an important job: to support your teeth and absorb the pressure from chewing. Without a tooth root to stimulate it, your body assumes that part of the bone is no longer needed. So, it starts to resorb it.
This bone loss doesn’t always happen slowly. Studies show that up to 50% of the bone width in that area can be lost within the first year after losing a tooth. In fact, 30% of that loss can occur in just the first 12 weeks. As the bone shrinks, it can affect your appearance and weaken the stability of neighboring teeth.
That’s why the best time to get a dental implant is as soon as possible. When Dr. Coolican places a dental implant, it anchors directly into the jawbone. Over time, your bone and the implant fuse through a process called osseointegration. This connection allows the implant to mimic the function of a natural tooth root, restoring chewing function and, just as importantly, keeping the bone active and healthy. Dental implants replace missing teeth and prevent ongoing bone loss.
Is it Best To Get Dental Implants if I’m Already Wearing Dentures?
Traditional dentures have done a lot of good for a lot of people. They’ve helped restore smiles and make everyday functions—like speaking and chewing—possible again. However, while they serve an important purpose, they also have limitations.
Each denture comprises a pink acrylic base that mimics gum tissue and a set of artificial teeth, often crafted from acrylic or porcelain. A good denture fits snugly against your gums and, in the case of uppers, uses suction against the roof of your mouth to stay in place. But over time, that fit changes. As the natural contours of your mouth shift, your denture may feel loose, rub uncomfortably, or even slip out of place when you least expect it.
These changes are a natural result of bone and tissue loss after tooth loss—and dentures alone can’t stop that process.
An implant denture offers a different kind of solution. Because it’s supported by dental implants anchored in your jaw, it doesn’t just replace missing teeth—it replicates the function of tooth roots. This added foundation means more security, more confidence, and far less worry about how your denture fits or feels from one year to the next.
So, if you’re already wearing a traditional denture and have started noticing these changes, know this: it’s not too late to choose something better. We can help you explore implant options that stabilize your existing denture—or replace it altogether.
How Are Mini Implants Different From Traditional Implants?
Mini dental implants, as the name suggests, are smaller than traditional implants—but this difference in size has a big impact on how they’re used, and who they’re right for.
A standard dental implant is about 5 millimeters in diameter—roughly the size of a pencil eraser. To support an implant of that size, a patient needs a solid foundation of healthy jawbone. That’s often a challenge for people who’ve gone without teeth for a while, as bone loss is a natural consequence of missing teeth. In many cases, a bone graft is needed first to strengthen the jaw before placing a traditional implant.
Mini dental implants change that equation. At less than 3 millimeters wide—think crayon tip instead of pencil eraser—mini implants require far less bone to stay stable. Their slim design allows Dr. Coolican to place them in areas where a traditional implant simply wouldn’t fit. This opens the door to implant treatment for patients who’ve been told they don’t have enough bone, and it often eliminates the need for bone grafting altogether.
What does this mean for you? It means a less invasive procedure, a smoother recovery, and in many cases, fewer steps between implant placement and a fully functional smile. Because of their size and design, mini implants often allow for immediate stabilization of a denture or prosthetic
You’ve Asked the Right Questions. Now Let’s Find the Right Solution!
If you’re navigating tooth loss for the first time or reevaluating dentures that no longer serve you, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Mint Mini Dental Implants, we take the time to listen, explain your options, and help you choose a path that protects your health, restores your function, and fits your life. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
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