Mini Implants
Mini dental implants (MDIs) are small diameter dental implants.Dental implants may be split into two separate categories based on the diameter of the device. Small diameter dental implants, most often referred to as ‘Mini Implants’, are those with a diameter less than three millimeters (3mm.) Likewise, standard or conventional implants are those implants larger than 3mm in diameter, but most commonly 4- 5mm. As a rule of thumb, Mini Dental Implants are at least half the price of conventional implants and sometimes a quarter of the price of conventional implants.[1][2]Mini dental implants, or MDIs, are sometimes referred to as SDIs (small diameter implants), as well as NDIs (narrow body implants). Although mini dental implant is actually a trade name for the most widely used small diameter implant, the 3M™ ESPE™ MDI Mini Dental Implant, the dental industry has adopted the term to describe this class of implants. Some small diameter implants are used as anchors in orthodontic cases and are called TADs, or temporary attachment devices. One example of a TAD is the Unitek™ Temporary Anchorage Device System. These differ from the more common mini dental implants in that they are removed after they are no longer needed and orthodontic treatment is completed.