Snap-in dentures (or Snap-on) are a type of implant-supported denture, which means they are secure in your mouth using implants. If you are missing a majority of your teeth or all of your teeth, it will satisfy your needs.
Snap-in dentures will replace your missing teeth and you will benefit from the beautiful smile and teeth again. It highly affects your appearance and brings your daily eating and speaking functions back to normal.
To put it simply, a denture is a dental prosthodontic or false teeth that are inserted in your mouth to have normal oral functions like chewing and speaking. In the traditional dentures type, dentures are seated on your gum and are not attached by other devices to the jaw bone or gums. This, in turn, causes discomfort and sore gums especially when dentures come loose and don’t fit in your mouth.
Snap-on dentures, on the other hand, are different from conventional denture. You can enjoy the stability and well-fit characteristics of it, which allows you to both remove or leave them in your mouth whenever you want.
What are snap-in dentures?
Snap-in dentures are a form of denture that dentists or prosthodontists use dental implants to fit them over your gums. The dentist will carve dental implants in your jawbone. This process is done surgically under anesthesia. Then the metal framework necessary for the retention and keeping the snap-in dentures in place are designed according to your needs or conditions.
You may need 2 to 6 implants or even more depending on your bone quality and the upper or lower missing teeth replacement. Therefore, there is no rubbing, shifting, or moving as in traditional dentures. Snap-in dentures are secured by the implants.
The fact that snap-on dentures require surgery to insert the implants may be daunting. There is no need to have fears since anesthesia and numbing agents will numb your bone in a typical risk-free procedure. You will just need a healing period of around 2 to 6 months for your operation.
If you have certain conditions or diseases or when bone density and quality hinder you from getting snap-in dentures, your dentist or prosthodontist will inform you whether you can have implants or not.
With implant-supported dentures, you will get relief and a comfortable feeling that your denture will never come loose or become uncomfortable. Snap them in your mouth and do your daily eating or speaking with no lisps since they are tight and fit in place.
Snap-in dentures types and designs
Snap-in dentures are one type of implant-supported dentures or overdentures. You can have removable or fixed designs depending on your preference. Most people may prefer to remove their dentures and go for the removable designs. But if fixed types are selected, you need to have them removed with the help of your dentist.
Snap-on dentures consist of:
1. The upper part
It is called overdenture and includes false teeth (prosthetic teeth) with a pink or gum-colored base, which seats over your ridge or gums. The other component is the attachment system such as retentive clips under the acrylic base to hold your overdentures. It is called locators. The acrylic base is not bulky and big, unlike traditional dentures. The base is made of acrylic polymer. The attachment system is to retain and keep the denture on the attachment devices on your implant.
2. The lower part
It comprises of variety of devices for retention. Snap-in dentures include implant posts and the metal framework attachment system. Implants, which are surgically inserted in your jaw, are called abutment and include magnets or ball abutment designs. The metal framework can be clips or bars that hold the upper and lower parts fixed and firm in place.
Pros and cons of snap-in dentures
Pros
- highly natural and improved look
- Stable and firmly fit, which makes them comfortable and secure
- Not bulky and big as traditional dentures, which allows you to enjoy eating and tastes of foods
- No rubbing, sore spots and no damages to the bone and gum while wearing
- Offers you various designs that meet your needs and satisfaction
- Removable
cons
- Cost more
- Require surgery to put the implants
- Can take more time (you may need to wait 2 to 6 months for healing to complete depending on the number of implants and the surgery)
Who needs snap-in dentures?
Anyone who has lost all or most of their teeth can get snap-on dentures. You may be confused whether you want other types of dentures or if you would like to select them. To understand better, read the following tips:
If you are missing one tooth
In case of missing one single tooth, the best way to replace it is with an implant.
If you are missing multiple teeth
When you are missing several teeth, there are other ways to have your empty place of teeth restored. you can have:
- Snap-in dentures (implant-supported dentures), which is used for cases of many teeth missing and having a large span of missing area
- A removable partial denture
- A fixed partial denture
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
If you are missing all your teeth (complete edentulous)
You may have lost all your teeth due to dental caries, aging, diseases, or conditions. To replace your missing teeth, you will have these options:
- Snap-in dentures (implant-supported dentures called overdentures)
- Complete (full) dentures, which are conventional denture type
Snap-in dentures cost and insurance
The cost of snap-in dentures can range from $1,000 to $10,000. Depending on the number of implants, insurance coverage, the location of your dentist, and other factors, you can expect different price ranges. The best way to reduce your cost is to find insurance that will modify the price or if possible, look for a flexible financing payment option.
Snap-on vs traditional dentures
Replace the missing teeth with a comfortable denture that you prefer. Sometimes, spending more money is the obstacle and other times oral and gum condition may be a problem. Although you may go beyond your budget with snap-in dentures, you will guarantee a lifelong high-performance denture in your mouth.
Certain diseases and conditions such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional disorders, and systemic and immunodeficiency problems can cause you to change your mind about wearing traditional dentures.
Traditional dentures may not be a suitable option if the diseases and certain conditions have impacted the vulnerability of your soft tissue like your gums. Thus, irritations and discomfort when wearing a traditional denture will cause difficulty. Traditional dentures have some drawbacks for your gum health in the longer times like sore gums and irritations.
Care and maintenance tips for your snap-in dentures:
- Brush your dentures with a soft-bristled brush:
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clean your Snap-in dentures with a soft brush thoroughly to remove all the plaque biofilm and food debris. Avoid harsh or abrasive toothbrushes because you will damage your snap-in dentures.
- Soak your dentures in a safe and recommended chemical denture cleansers:
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you should follow the instructions for your Snap-in dentures according to the dentist advice and manufacturer’s tips. Brush the dentures after soaking to remove loosened debris and stained spots. Avoid soaking in hot and strong cleaning solutions since the denture will warp and change its form. Also, follow the recommended time. Do not use house bleaching products to clean your snap-in dentures.
- Rinse your dentures under running water:
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to dispose of infection and reaming foods on your snap-in dentures, rinse them under mildly warm running water before placing in your mouth.
- Have your dentures checked at least once a year:
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visit a dentist, prosthodontist or an oral hygienist annually to have your mouth and dentures examined. If there is any sign of oral health problems or any problems with your snap-in dentures fit and position, it will be fixed or repaired.
Frequently asked questions
If you use snap-in dentures, you have invested in more money and budget in the long run. Although Snap-in dentures seem costly at first, in the longer time, you see that you have had a bargain. Because of many benefits for your gum health, its stability and cosmetic look, you will in fact see more positive things to come. Keep in mind that you have contributed to the gum line health, your jawbone and an improved chewing and eating ability. You can eat food comfortably without worrying about any mishaps that your dentures may come loose or harm your gum.
Care and maintenance of the dentures ensure both oral health and keeps the bacteria away from your Snap-in dentures. All dentures should be removed daily for cleaning unless the denture is fixed and requires dentist to do so.
