What is a mini dental implant, and how does it differ from a standard implant?
A mini dental implant is a dental implant that is much thinner than a standard implant; the difference lies mainly in the diameter and in the fact that it is usually made in one piece. The 2018 consensus report of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) calls implants with a diameter of 3.5 mm or less narrow-diameter implants and divides them into three categories. Only the thinnest category, under 2.5 mm, is called a mini implant; according to the report, most of these are one-piece implants, so the part in the bone and the part that carries the denture or tooth cannot be separated.
| Category | Diameter | Mean survival rate (follow-up) | Main use named by the ITI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (mini implant) | under 2.5 mm | 94.5 percent (12–78 months) | Full lower denture; temporary fixed or removable teeth |
| Category 2 | 2.5 to under 3.3 mm | 97.3 percent (12–63 months) | Full lower denture; single front tooth in a narrow gap |
| Category 3 | 3.3 to 3.5 mm | 97.7 percent (12–109 months) | Dentures; single tooth where space is limited; multi-unit bridgework |
The definitions are not uniform. The ITI report of 2013 still drew the line at one-piece implants under 3 mm. If a quote or treatment plan says “mini implant”, it is worth asking for the exact diameter.
When are mini implants an option?
Mini and narrow-diameter implants are considered when there is not enough space or bone width for a standard implant. The ITI report of 2018 names two main situations:
- A narrow ridge: in areas where the bone is thin, as an alternative to widening the bone with a graft.
- A narrow gap: where the distance between two teeth is small, for example a missing upper lateral incisor or a lower incisor.
For implants under 2.5 mm the report also lists holding a full lower denture permanently and providing temporary teeth during ongoing treatment. The ITI report of 2013 had already found that one-piece mini implants were used in studies mainly for lower dentures on four implants and for single front teeth.
How is a lower denture held with mini implants?
The loose lower full denture is the best-studied use. Several mini implants are placed in the front of the lower jaw; attachments built into the denture clip onto the implant heads, and the denture remains removable.
The systematic review by Jawad and Clarke (2019) analysed 1,715 mini implants in 475 patients from 17 studies. After an average of 28 months (6 to 84 months), the survival rate was 95.6 percent. Most patients received four implants, and in most studies the gum was not opened with a flap. The authors rate the short- and medium-term results as good but stress that loading time and attachment types varied widely between studies.
A 2025 review on the ITI’s scientific blog adds that manufacturers recommend at least four mini implants in the front of the lower jaw and that two mini implants are controversial. The same review sees the less invasive procedure and the reduced need for bone grafting as reasons why older people often accept the method more readily. The denture on two standard implants that consensus statements recommend as the minimum standard is described in our guide snap-on dentures on implants.
Does a mini implant replace a bone graft in a narrow jaw?
Sometimes it reduces the need, but not always. According to the ITI’s 2018 clinical recommendations, narrow-diameter implants can reduce the need for, or the extent of, lateral bone grafting and can make it possible to graft at the same time as placing the implant rather than in separate operations.
The ITI report of 2013 warns, however, that possible benefits such as a smaller operation and less grafting are not yet scientifically proven. It recommends choosing the largest diameter that the emergence profile and the ridge allow. What a bone graft is and when it is needed is explained in our guide bone graft before implants.
What are the limits and risks of mini implants?
The main limit is mechanical strength. The ITI report of 2018 makes the following points:
- The smaller the diameter, the higher the risk that the implant or its components fracture; caution is needed with grinding, clenching or an unfavourable bite.
- Because of lower strength and less bone contact, it can make sense, depending on the situation, to join the implants together (splinting).
- One-piece mini implants with ball heads can be hard to handle if a person later depends on others for care.
- Patients should be told that more technical and biological complications are possible than with standard implants.
The report also notes that most studies carry a high risk of bias and that long-term comparative studies are lacking. The 2025 ITI review cites one study in which 7 and 10 mm long mini implants failed in 38 percent of cases, compared with 1 percent for 14 mm implants; the authors consider further research necessary before a judgement can be drawn from this.
Are orthodontic mini-screws the same as mini implants?
No. Despite the similar name, orthodontic mini-screws (temporary anchorage devices) do not replace a tooth: they serve as a temporary anchor point during brace treatment to move teeth and are removed at the end.
| Feature | Mini implant for replacing teeth | Orthodontic mini-screw |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Carry a denture or tooth permanently | Temporary anchorage for tooth movement |
| Time in the mouth | Permanent | Months to a few years; removed after treatment |
| Position | Toothless ridge | Between tooth roots or in the palate |
| Removal | Not intended | Usually without anaesthetic, by unscrewing |
According to the British Orthodontic Society, orthodontic mini-screws are 1.5 to 2 mm wide screws of titanium alloy placed under local anaesthetic; 10 to 20 percent become loose, mostly in the first months, and are replaced if needed. University Hospitals of Leicester’s patient information says the screw is about 2 mm wide and up to 8 mm long, is placed without a cut or stitches and can stay in the mouth for 18 months to two years. Whether mini-screws are useful in an orthodontic treatment is assessed at the examination; our guide orthodontics for adults gives an overview.
What should you check if mini implants are proposed to you?
- Ask for the diameter and length; “mini” means different sizes in different sources.
- Have the number of implants explained to you, and why that number was chosen.
- Say if you grind or clench your teeth; it affects the fracture risk.
- Ask whether a standard implant, with a bone graft if needed, would be an alternative and what that would mean for the number and length of your trips.
- Clarify whether your existing denture can be used, how often the attachments will need replacing, and who will do that at home.
How do we assess implants in a narrow jaw at Rönesans?
We measure bone width and height in three dimensions with a cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan at our clinic, and we discuss the options for narrow bone on the basis of that measurement. We carry out bone grafting and sinus lifts at our clinic, so a standard implant after grafting is among the possibilities. Whether mini implants are suitable for you is discussed at your consultation.
If all the teeth in a jaw are missing, we restore it with fixed teeth on four or six implants; more on our full-arch implants page. For a preliminary assessment, you can send photos and any existing X-rays on WhatsApp to +90 532 363 49 54 or call +90 264 606 09 43. The plan becomes definite only after the in-person examination; before treatment begins you receive a written treatment and cost plan. How a stay is organised is described on dental treatment in Türkiye.