Mini-implant Procedure

May 8, 2014

If you are considering mini-implants as an option to regain your missing teeth, it would be good to have an idea of how the procedure might take place at your Columbia SC dental clinic. Unlike traditional implants, mini-implants take a shorter time to complete and there’s even a treatment that allows a patient to have a full set of mini-implants done in just one day!

Mini-implant Procedure: Then and Now

The speed of a mini-implant procedure has a lot to do with hi-tech dental scanners and the size of mini-implants. It used to be that when a person needed to get implants, he’d have to go for several visits to a South Carolina dentist. The visits would involve checkups, treatment planning, and a series of operations/oral surgeries.

On top of that, he’d have to wait for several months for the previous surgery to heal before he can go back to his dentist for the rest of the implants. All in all, it could take 6 to 18 months for the whole procedure to finish.

With mini-implants, a South Carolina dentist can do all the checkups and treatment planning in just 2-3 visits (consultation, treatment planning, and actual surgery). An example of this procedure is the All-on-Four treatment, which uses 3-D scanners that produce three-dimensional images of the patient’s teeth and jaw. A dentist could complete the actual implant surgery in just one afternoon. The total length of the mini-implant procedure will still depend on the individual dental health condition of a patient, but if there are no problems, an All-on-Four treatment could be done in just 2-3 visits to your South Carolina dentist.

Advantages of Mini-implants

Besides the shorter treatment period, mini-implants are also very ideal for people who do not have enough jawbone density to support traditional implants. Since the implant posts are less than 3mm in size, they can be securely placed into a person’s jawbone even if its thinner than average.

Mini-implants are also less expensive than traditional implants costing only about $2,000 to $4,000. They also need less healing time, usually just 3-8 weeks.

For a professional consultation about mini-implants, please call Total Dental Care of South Carolina at 803-272-4162.

A woman is smiling with her arms in the air.

How to Recover Comfortably from Wisdom Tooth Removal

By Total Dental Care of South Carolina • June 1, 2025
Learn when wisdom tooth removal is necessary and how to recover safely with Total Dental Care of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina. Discover tips for minimizing pain, avoiding dry socket, and returning to daily routines with confidence. This blog breaks down the entire experience so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.
A woman with red hair is wearing a yellow sweater and smiling.

Beyond the Myths: A Patient’s Guide to Root Canal Therapy

By Total Dental Care of South Carolina • May 15, 2025
Root canal therapy can stop pain, save your natural tooth, and protect your long-term oral health. Total Dental Care of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina, explains the process clearly, offers personalized sedation solutions, and helps patients feel confident in their treatment with a compassionate, informative approach.
A woman is holding her face in pain because of a dental implant.

Feeling Pain Around Your Dental Implant? Here Is What You Should Know

By Total Dental Care of South Carolina • May 1, 2025
Your dental implant should not hurt, shift, or cause discomfort. At Total Dental Care of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina, we provide guidance on how to spot and respond to implant warning signs like inflammation or bite issues. Early detection and care can prevent implant failure and ensure your smile stays strong and stable.
More Posts