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The edentulous maxilla and mandible are critical handicaps for many patients, and for a variety of reasons, one the profession has largely ignored. The placement of four IMTEC Mini-Dental Implants (MDI), retrofitted with
O Rings in an existing lower denture, can immediately enhance stability, phonetics and function. Patients will leave a dental office with a new sense of security and self-confidence.
MDI implants can be a profitable addition to a dental practice. Over 36 million patients in the United States have lost their teeth; however, only one-half of 1 percent of those patients have received implant therapy. This striking disparity signifies a huge untapped market for implants.
Candidates for implant dentistry must meet specific criteria, primarily medical and financial. The trauma of conventional implant surgery procedures has disqualified many patients who are medically compromised. The cost of conventional implant dentistry
as much as $10,000 to $50,000 for fixed restorations
has also been a major deterrent to patient acceptance. In contrast, an MDI procedure ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on geographic location.
Minimally invasive devices and procedures are the fastest growing segment of the medical device industry. Compared to traditional approaches, they reduce the risk to the patient, require less anesthesia, involve shorter surgical and recovery times and ultimately result in significant cost savings.
The surgical procedure used for the placement of the IMTEC Mini-Dental Implant (MDI) is very simple, fast and minimally invasive. MDI consists of a miniature 1.8mm (standard thread design) titanium alloy implant that acts like the root of a tooth. It contains a retaining fixture with an O-Ring that is incorporated into the base of a patient’s denture. The head of each implant is shaped like a ball and the retaining fixture acts like a socket. The O-Ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture rests on the patient’s gum tissue. The retaining fixtures allow vertical movement while withstanding natural lifting forces.
MDI’s are available in classic or collared implant designs: Classic 1.8mm or MAX thread 2.4mm diameters; and in 11, 13, 15, and 18mm lengths. The IMTEC MDI System also features three options for metal housings, Standard, Micro and O-Cap to fit the needs of all patients.
When considering the MDI as a treatment option, a dentist is in effect changing the functional status and classification of the patient. Titanium replaces dentin and enamel, essentially creating a new type of patient. These former denture patients will now become dental patients, subject to your routine recall hygiene program. This change benefits the clinician, and more importantly, the patient.
The focus of attention must necessarily expand beyond the edentulous ridge and now includes retentive attachments, occlusion, soft tissue, prosthesis, home care and functional status.
With a relatively low start-up cost and expanded pool of potential patients, the MDI System is an excellent way to help patients and grow a practice. The MDI Surgical Kit, Catalog #S1803 is $1,145.00. MDI Classic implants are $49 and MAX implants are $65; refer to catalog or www.imtec.com for catalog numbers. Astoundingly, one MDI case per day can equal a net annual profit of $625,000!
Excerpts taken from an article appearing in Dental Economics by E.S. Gillespie, DDS.
Copyright by PennWell Corporation
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