The 3M ESPE Mini Dental Implant, also known as MDIs, are biocompatible screws made of a Titanium alloy containing small amounts of Vanadium and Aluminium. The alloy has a tensile strength 62.5% stronger than commercially pure, Grade IV CP Titanium, which facilitates the use of these small implants to support crowns or retention abutments. The standard thread design is 1.8mm in diameter and the MAX implant is 2.4mm in diameter and has a coarser thread design for poorer quality bone. As the implants are essentially replacing the root of a tooth, single implants are required for anterior tooth replacement but more implants are required for replacement of teeth in the posterior of the mouth.
The Mini Dental Implants are for long-term use; minimally invasive; placed with local anaesthetic only, do not require an osteotomy; are usually placed without reflecting a flap and immediately loaded. The MDI can be used in almost all situations but should be considered especially in cases when there is limited bone, limited space, limited funds and where time is an issue.
The success rate of individual MDI’s is similar to conventional implants but case success is significantly higher. An MDI can be replaced by making another pilot hole a few millimetres adjacent to the original site or can be replaced in the same site after healing has occurred and new bone has formed.
The implants are packaged in single sterile units and available in lengths of 10, 13, 15 and 18mm. They are available with either an O-ball or square head. The O-ball can be used for fixing a prosthesis or crown but the square head is limited to crown and bridge applications. A housing with a rubber O-ring inserted, is used in combination with the O-ball implant to secure partial or full dentures. The O-ring firmly grips the O-ball of the implant head to provide stability during function and allows the patient to remove the prosthesis for daily cleaning of the implants. O-rings are generally replaced once or twice a year.
The MDI protocol requires a minimum of 6 MAX implants to secure a maxillary denture and a minimum of 4 standard implants to secure a mandibular denture.
The placement tools are universal and can be used with all different types of MDIs. Analogues are available for both square head and O-ball implants.
Please note: the Collared version of the MDI is regularly stocked and is usually available for overnight delivery (to major centres). If the Classic version of the MDI (or the Classic analogues 5118 or 5018) is required there is likely to be a delay of 10 days for delivery.
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