MDI – Mini Dental Implants

What Are MDI Implants?

The MDI System consists of a miniature implant that acts like the root of your tooth and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture rests gently on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

How Are MDI Implants Placed?

Placement of the implants is accomplished quickly and easily in a process performed in our office with local anesthesia or light sedation to help make you more comfortable. Using a precise, controlled, minimally invasive surgical technique, MDI implants are placed into the jawbone. The heads of the implants protrude from the gum tissue and provide a strong, solid foundation for securing your dentures. It is a one-step procedure that involves minimally invasive surgery, no sutures, and significantly reduced healing time.

What Will My First Day Be Like?

Leave the dentures in place until bedtime. You should not experience any excessive bleeding. There will be some mild discomfort, but this should be minimal and controlled by the pain medication you have been given. If needed, take the pain medication only as directed. The denture should feel secure. You may eat as soon as you wish to, but avoid excessively hard or sticky foods for a period recommended by us. Upon removing the denture, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash and clean around each implant fixture with a cotton swab and toothpaste. Use a cotton swab for three days. After that, use your toothbrush which has been specifically designed to clean your implants and gently stimulate the surrounding gum tissue.

How Do I Place and Remove My Dentures?

The implants and the O-ring fixtures must be clean and free from debris. Grasp the denture with both hands and lightly seat the denture, feeling that the O-rings are resting above the ball head of the implants, then press down firmly and equally on both sides. If you are still experiencing difficulty, see if a spouse or family member can assist you in placing the denture.

To remove the denture, place your thumbs under each side of the lower denture rim and push both sides upward at the same time. The tongue can also assist in this simple removal process.

What about Care and Maintenance?

You must brush and clean the ball of the implants as if they were your natural teeth. As with natural teeth, food and bacterial debris (plaque) must be removed after meals. If not removed, the plaque will cause inflammation of the gums and can be forced into the O-ring fixtures causing improper seating and loss of retention. The O-ring fixtures must also be cleaned out.

The ACCESS Toothbrush has been specifically designed for optimum cleaning of the implant fixtures. Ultrasonic cleaners are ideal for ensuring that the retaining fixtures are kept clean and free from food impaction and debris. Use either mouthwash or a 50/50 peroxide solution in the ultrasonic cleaner. A Water-Pic may also be used to rinse out the denture fixtures.

If the denture does not remain firmly in place, call us to discuss the problem.

We will determine your appropriate recall interval. At that time, the condition of the implant, your gums, and the O-rings will be evaluated and properly maintained.