Snap In Dentures
For the patients who have lost their teeth due to injury or a dental issue, they might want to evaluate if replacing their teeth with snap-in dentures is suitable. Whereas traditional, removable dentures can shift out of alignment and become ill-fitting, snap-in dentures are superior in their stability and versatility.
Snap-in Denture: An Overview
Snap-in dentures are held in place by screws or dental implants implanted in the patient’s jawbone. Two to four implants per jaw are typically needed but based on the patient’s condition and budget, up to 10 implants may be required to support the snap-in denture.
Once the dental implants have been placed, an implant-supported or implant-retained denture (also called an overdenture) may be mounted. Based on how the implants and overdenture are built, the prosthesis can be permanently fixed in place or removable for cleaning.
Fixed Dentures vs. Removable Snap-in Dentures
Snap-in dentures can be either removable or permanently secured in place. Determining which option is right for the patient will largely depend on their specific needs and budget. A few of the main variances between removable dentures and implant-supported dentures are:
- Implant-supported or removable dentures are specifically designed to be taken out. Typically, these dentures are taken out at night for cleaning by the patient. On the other hand, fixed dentures have a higher degree of permanence, often have different processes for cleaning, and only a dentist can remove them.
- When compared to fixed dentures, removable implant dentures tend to slip out of alignment in the patient’s mouth. Fixed dentures avoid this because they are securely mounted to the dental implants.
- Because of their need for additional implants or an additional attachment bar, fixed dentures are more costly than their removable counterparts.
Snap-in Procedure
Because the procedure involves surgery and recovery time to heal, the process for obtaining snap-in dentures tends to be lengthy and often takes several months to fully complete. It should be noted that the procedure varies based on the specific needs of the patient getting the dentures.
The process begins with surgery to place the implants into the jawbone. Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and the patient will receive local anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort. Once the implants have been placed, two to six months could be needed to allow the implants to properly fuse with the surrounding bone creating a strong foundation for the snap-in dentures.
Based on the implant system used, an additional surgery may be required to uncover the implants to attach the extensions. At this juncture, the temporary healing caps have created the base for the prosthetic teeth to be mounted upon. If the implant system has extensions already attached, this step would be bypassed.
After placing the implants, an abutment could be attached on which the dentures will be held in place. The full dentures will then be manufactured and mounted to the connecting devices.
Benefits of Snap-in Dentures
The benefits of snap-in dentures compared to conventional dentures are several fold including:
- Compared to traditional dentures that are designed to be removed daily, snap-in dentures are more stable and less prone to loosening when talking or eating.
- Chewing ability can be improved with snap-in dentures. This allows patients to eat hard and sticky foods without issue.
- Because food choices are less inhibited with snap-in dentures, nutrition can improve leading to benefits in both oral and overall health.
- Snap-in dentures are better fitting and more comfortable to wear than conventional dentures. As a result, friction on the gums is minimized when wearing snap-in dentures.
- When compared to conventional dentures, many people find snap-in dentures to have a more natural appearance.
- Snap-in dentures help preserve the jawbone and prevent additional bone loss.
Drawbacks of Snap-in Dentures
Despite their previously mentioned benefits, snap-in dentures do have some drawbacks when compared to conventional dentures including:
- Surgery is required for snap-in dentures. While the risk of complications or infections are relatively low, the procedure will, at a minimum, require local anesthesia and several months to heal.
- Compared to conventional dentures, snap-in dentures are more expensive and might not be covered by the patient’s insurance carrier. Cost will vary based on the specifics of the patient but in general, the cost for two implants and dentures can be on average about $6,000. Should additional implants be needed, the cost of treatment will be higher.
- If underlying conditions like gum or tooth decay are present or the patient needs additional procedures like a bone graft prior to implant surgery, recovery cost and recovery time can also be increased.
- Snap-in dentures are not as strong as natural teeth and as such, will break down over time.
- The attachments used with snap-in dentures can loosen over time requiring tightening. This will necessitate additional visits to the dentist which some patients may find inconvenient.
Caring for Snap-in Dentures
Just as it is with the natural teeth, cleaning and maintaining snap-in dentures is vitally important to ensuring patients maximize their investment over the years. If they are not screwed in place, it is important to brush the tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth daily prior to wearing snap-in dentures. The dentures should also be rinsed before brushing in order to remove any food particles or debris. Soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used along with non-abrasive cleaners so as to avoid damage to the snap-in denture surface.
When not being worn, snap-in dentures should be safely stored in water until they are next worn again.
Who is a Candidate for Snap-in Dentures?
Virtually anyone that is missing teeth due to periodontal disease, cavities, or injury are a candidate for snap-in dentures. Age is not prohibitive as patients of all ages can undergo the procedure and many underlying health conditions will not exclude a patient from candidacy.
Patients that do not want to deal with the drawbacks of traditional dentures may find snap-in dentures to be a preferable option due to their superior appearances, functionality, and comfort. Snap-in dentures offer a more permanent solution to help patients confidently talk, eat, and smile again.