The current view of the experience of using reduced diameter dental implants in complete removable dental prosthesis. A review

Abstract

Introduction. In modern conditions, alternative design and clinical solutions concepts have emerged in dental implant technology, such as small-diameter implants, which have become of increasing clinical and scientific interest. Such types of medical devices and their applications continue to be studied at many levels of research and development in many countries. Aim of the work: to analyze available sources of scientific and medical information on the experience of using small-diameter dental implants, the prerequisites and consequences of introducing such innovations into clinical practice.Materials and methods of the study. An information search was conducted in available electronic libraries and scientific and medical information aggregators. The search depth was 10 years. Keywords: "mini-implants", "dental implants", "small-diameter dental implants", "available bone", "conditionally removable dentures with support on implants".Study results and discussion. The prevalence of complete secondary edentulousness in the population varies considerably between countries and has decreased significantly over the last few decades in most countries. The problem of bone loss after tooth extraction is well-known in dentistry, but unfortunately, it cannot be predicted at the time of tooth extraction. Several studies have shown that removable dentures on dental implants provide patients with better results than removable structures in terms of chewing efficiency, freedom from food restrictions, and dental health-related quality of life. In dental implant technology, alternative concepts in design and clinical solutions, such as small-diameter implants, have emerged and are of increasing clinical and scientific interest. Such designs have made it possible to avoid augmentation or other invasive jaw surgery in preparation for dental implantation, but the overall data on the results of their use is too small to form specific and weighted clinical recommendations. Dental mini-implants can be an excellent solution in specific clinical situations, but their use may be associated with a number of potential problems: implant fracture – mini-implants have a smaller diameter, which can make them more prone to fracture during increased occlusal loads, especially in the lateral areas of the dentition; impaired osseointegration – mini-implants have a reduced area of bone-implant contact, which can lead to weaker integration and negatively affect the survival of such designs; higher rejection rate – studies have shown that mini-implants have a higher percentage of rejection compared to standard implants, and it can reach from 6% to 13%; reduced mechanical properties – mini-implants, due to the peculiarities of their design, are unable to withstand high occlusal loads, so over time their linear stable deformations and fractures may occur; a more complex protocol of the orthopedic stage of treatment – the use of mini-implants as a support for larger prostheses, for example in the molar area, often requires several implants, which can complicate the overall course of rehabilitation.Conclusions. The future of dental mini-implants looks promising, given several achievements and trends that determine their further development. The outlined prospects and directions transform dental mini-implant technology into more effective, affordable, and convenient solutions for patients.