One of the happiest developments at the practice of Durham Dental is seeing so many people get more effective, more comfortable results today than they might have had with dentures or bridges.  Mini-implants can present a great new smile and bring a return to favorite foods, even for people who might not qualify for conventional dental implants.

[caption id="attachment_19867" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DrStephenDurham.headshotSM.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-19867" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DrStephenDurham.headshotSM-150x150.jpg" alt="Dr. Stephen Durham" width="150" height="150" /></a> Dr. Stephen Durham[/caption]

Folks who have inadequate bone which might not support a conventional implant, and many people whose age or overall health might have disqualified them from implants until now, can look forward to fine results from mini-implants.  Because the procedure is less invasive, the risks of complication are greatly reduced, too.

<b>A matter of hours</b>

Mini-implants enable even a wide span of tooth replacement to be anchored at a number of small points, avoiding the major bone and gum preparation of conventional implants.  So placing the implants takes less than a day.  And with this less invasive approach comes dramatically less recovery time.  Most folks are eating within a couple of hours after treatment is completed.

<b>More people qualify physically — and financially</b>

The natural feel, appearance and performance of dental implants is accessible to many more people than conventional implants from a financial perspective, too. Mini-implants are much less costly.

Cost of treatment typically is 25% to 50% less than the cost of conventional dental implants, averaging about one-third less. This opens the way to the natural feel, look and high performance of dental implants to people who might not have considered it before now.

<b>The practitioner makes the difference</b>

Because of all the advantages of mini-implant treatment, dentists across the country have been pretty quick to bring the procedure into their practices. The key to a good result, though, is still the quality of care you get from the dentist you choose. It’s a good idea to ask about education, certification and experience.  Sitting down for an informal, pressure-free chat is the best way to start.

Seeing the happiness of people who discover they don’t have to put up with chewing differently, talking carefully, avoiding favorite foods — that is almost as rewarding to us, and to the loved ones in their lives, as it is to our patients themselves.

<i>A recipient of the 2012 Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), Dr. Stephen Durham is a graduate of Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. He is a past recipient of the LVI Fellowship Award for Neuromuscular and Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Durham practices at Durham Dental at Town Center in Beaufort. For more information, visit his website at www.DrStephenDurham.com or call 843-379-5400.</i>