Mini Dental Implants
Narrow implants that stabilise a loose lower denture — less surgery, lower cost, narrower indication.
Overview
Mini implants are narrower than standard implants — roughly half the diameter — which lets them be placed in ridges too thin for a conventional implant, often without a bone graft and through a smaller opening in the gum. The usual application is stabilising a lower denture that will not stay in: two mini implants and a retrofit of your existing denture can turn it from something that rocks into something that clips into place.
The trade-off is real and worth stating plainly: a narrower implant carries less load, so mini implants are not a substitute for standard implants when replacing individual chewing teeth, and the long-term evidence base for them is thinner than for standard-diameter implants. Denvida uses them where the indication fits — denture stabilisation with limited bone — and will recommend standard implants or an overdenture when those are the better long-term answer.
Options & Types
Two mini implants + denture retrofit
The common case: two implants in the lower front jaw and attachments added to your existing denture.
Four mini implants
More retention and less rocking where the ridge allows it, at a higher cost.
Standard implants instead
Where bone width allows, standard-diameter implants or an overdenture have a longer track record.
The Process
- 1
Free consult + 3D scan
A CBCT scan measures ridge width — this is what decides between mini and standard implants.
- 2
Placement
The implants are placed under local anesthesia through a small opening, usually without cutting a flap.
- 3
Denture retrofit
Attachments are fitted into your existing denture so it clips onto the implants.
- 4
Review & adjust
The fit and bite are adjusted at follow-up, and the attachment liners are replaced periodically as they wear.
Cost & Financing
| Procedure | Bay Area range | Denvida |
|---|---|---|
| Two mini implants + denture retrofit | $3,500–$6,000 | written estimate |
| Implant overdenture, for comparison | $6,000–$15,000 | written estimate |
| Conventional denture, for comparison | $1,000–$3,000 | written estimate |
Ranges are Bay Area market references, not quotes, and depend on how many implants are placed and whether your existing denture can be retrofitted or needs remaking. Denvida gives a detailed written estimate before treatment and is in-network with Delta Dental & Cigna; financing available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mini dental implants cost?
Two mini implants plus a retrofit of your existing lower denture is approximately $3,500–$6,000 at Denvida. That is less than an implant overdenture on standard implants ($6,000–$15,000 per arch) because the surgery is smaller and grafting is usually not needed. A free consultation with a 3D scan confirms which option your bone allows.
Are mini dental implants as good as regular implants?
Not for the same jobs. A mini implant is roughly half the diameter, so it carries less chewing load and is not a substitute for a standard implant when replacing an individual molar. Where mini implants do well is stabilising a lower denture in a ridge too narrow for standard implants — that indication avoids a bone graft and a longer surgery. The long-term evidence base is also thinner than for standard-diameter implants.
Can mini implants be placed without a bone graft?
Usually yes, and that is their main advantage. Because they are narrow, they often fit ridges that would need grafting to take a standard implant — which removes three to six months of graft healing from the timeline. A CBCT scan confirms whether your ridge has enough width and height without grafting.
Can my current denture be used with mini implants?
Often yes. If the denture fits reasonably and the acrylic is sound, attachments can be fitted into it after the implants are placed, which keeps the cost down. If it is worn, ill-fitting or the bite has changed, a new denture made for the implant positions gives a better long-term result. This is assessed at the free consultation.
Related Services
Free consultation + 3D scan
Meet Dr. Na Zhao (DDS, PhD) for a no-obligation consultation, 3D scan and written estimate. Mandarin & Spanish spoken.