The Mini Dental Implant Process

In this video, Dr. Aaron Bratton explains the step-by-step process of placing mini dental implants, from initial imaging to final restoration. If you’re considering mini dental implants, schedule a free consultation at Atkins Dental Clinic today to learn how they can restore your smile with precision and efficiency.

Before placing mini dental implants, it is essential to ensure a solid foundation. To achieve this, we first take a CBCT scan (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)—a 3D X-ray that provides a detailed view of the height, width, and depth of your bone. This allows us to determine the best placement for the implants with precision.

Once the scan is assessed, we send the data to our laboratory in Buffalo, where they create an implant guide (also called a stent). This guide ensures that the planned implant placement is executed with accuracy and consistency, minimizing any margin for error.

The next step depends on what will be placed on the implants. Whether it’s a denture, crown, or bridge, there is a planning and fabrication period before final placement. However, once everything is ready, the implant placement and restoration are typically completed on the same day.

To ensure comfort and proper function, we schedule a 24-hour follow-up, as numbness during the procedure makes it difficult to assess fit immediately. Additional one-week and one-month follow-ups help fine-tune any adjustments that become apparent once you start using the implants in daily function. This structured approach ensures both long-term success and patient comfort.

OUR DENTAL SERVICES

Hear What Our Patients Are Saying...

Read The Atkins Dental Blog

Learn about the services we provide, and the latest advancements in general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry.

Permanent Teeth in Atkins, AR: What Mini Dental Implants Make Possible

If you have been wearing dentures for some time, you are likely familiar with the limitations that come with them. The adhesive. The instability. The gradual adjustments to what you eat and how you live. At some point, you may have looked into permanent teeth, been told your bone was insufficient, and accepted that as a final answer. But [...]

Affordable Dentures in Atkins, AR: What Are Your Options?

Finding affordable dentures starts with finding the right denture provider in Atkins. You need a team that can look at what you need, listen to your goals, understand your budget, and help you plan with all of those details in mind. At Atkins Dental Clinic, we know healthcare costs are not always easy to manage, especially when you are [...]

Why Full Mouth Implants Give Dentures Better Support

Full mouth implants are one of those treatments that continue working long after the treatment is complete. Once Dr. Aaron places the implants into the jawbone, your body begins to bond with them. After that process, the implants start to function much like natural tooth roots. Having a root-like connection for your denture is important because your jawbone follows [...]

Invisalign Alternatives: Understanding Clear Aligners Beyond the Brand Name

When people start researching clear aligners, one name tends to come up first: Invisalign. Over the years, the brand has become so recognizable that many people use “Invisalign” as shorthand for clear aligner treatment. We find ourselves asking for a Kleenex when we mean any tissue or searching for a Band-Aid when we need an adhesive bandage. Sometimes, a [...]

Dental Implants Cost: What You Should Know Before Treatment

When people ask about how much dental implants cost, they often hope for a single, straightforward number. In reality, the answer rarely works that way. Every patient begins the tooth replacement process from a different starting point, and the steps required to restore a smile can vary from one situation to the next. Because of that, dental implant treatment [...]

Are One-Piece Dental Implants a Simpler Option for Tooth Replacement?

At first, one-piece dental implants may seem like just another tooth-replacement option. Implant dentistry already comes with plenty of terminology, and another category can feel like one more detail to sort through. Yet the structure of a dental implant can affect how treatment is planned, how many components are involved, and how efficiently the final restoration comes together. Think [...]

How Clear Aligner Treatment Can Improve Daily Dental Care

Clear aligner treatment has become a familiar orthodontic option for teens and adults alike, and its appeal is easy to understand. These removable, discrete trays fit over the teeth and guide them into better position through a series of small, planned movements. Each aligner applies gentle pressure to specific teeth. As you progress through the series, your smile gradually [...]

The Best Implant Options in 2026 for Comfort, Cost, and Timing [Video Q&A]

When people search for the best dental implant options in 2026, the word “best” usually comes with a few follow-up questions. Best for comfort? Best for cost? What about a faster treatment timeline? For many patients, the answer depends on what feels most important at the start. The idea of implant surgery may feel overwhelming, especially for those who [...]