Snap-In Dentures
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, losing your teeth does not have to be the life changing event it once was. Fortunately, there are many tooth replacement options available to help restore your smile. No one should have to deal with the embarrassment of having missing teeth. If you are overwhelmed about the tooth replacement options available, you should work with your dentist to determine which option is right for you. One option you may want to consider is “snap-in” dentures. Snap-in dentures are designed to be more secure, comfortable, and durable than conventional dentures. Below is more information on snap-in dentures to help you decide if they are the right tooth replacement option for you.
What Are Snap-in Dentures?
If you are missing all of your teeth, you will want to consider a tooth replacement option for all of your teeth. Conventional dentures are a popular option due to their ability to replace many missing teeth quickly and at a relatively low price. However, over time, dentures may need to be refitted as the mouth continues to change shape without teeth. Poorly fitting dentures can slip and shift around in the mouth, causing irritation and issues with speaking and eating. Unlike conventional dentures, snap-in dentures offer stability, versality, and improved comfort. Snap-in dentures are held into place by dental implants or screws placed in the jawbone. In general, snap-in dentures require two to four implants in the upper and lower jawbone, although more may be necessary. Once the implants have been surgically placed in the jawbone, an implant-retained or implant-supported denture can be fitted.
Snap-in Denture Benefits
Snap-in dentures offer many benefits compared to conventional dentures. These benefits are important to consider when you are deciding which tooth replacement option is right for you. Snap-in dentures offer:
- Improved stability: Held in place by the dental implant, snap-in dentures will not become loose while you are speaking or eating.
- Improved eating ability: Due to the stability that snap-in dentures offer, people are able to return to eating the harder and stickier foods that they once loved but have not been able to eat with conventional dentures.
- Improved comfort: Without shifting and sliding, snap-in dentures tend to cause less irritation from friction and rubbing and therefore are more comfortable than conventional dentures.
- Improved appearance: The design of conventional dentures requires prosthetic gums made from acrylic to help hold the dentures in place.
- Snap-in dentures are held in place by the implant, allowing them to have less artificial material and a more natural looking appearance than conventional dentures.
- Improved oral health: The dental implants restore and preserve the health of the jawbone, preventing further bone loss.
Cons of Snap-in Dentures
Snap-in dentures are not without some drawbacks that must be considered, including:
- Require surgery: Unlike conventional dentures that are quick and easy to fit, snap-in dentures require implant surgery, which may be more invasive than some patients would prefer.
- Extra costs: Initially, snap-in dentures will be a larger investment than conventional dentures, and treatment costs may not be covered by insurance.
- Extra procedures: Snap-in dentures require the jawbone to be healthy enough to support the dental implants. Some patients require additional treatments, such as bone grafting, to make sure the jawbone can support the implants.
- Durability: Overtime, snap-in dentures will eventually break down and will need to be repaired or replaced.
Estimated Costs of Snap-in Dentures
If you are weighing the pros and cons of tooth replacement options, you will likely be considering cost as a major factor. Many dental insurance plans do not cover snap-in dentures, which may be a deciding factor if costs are an issue for you. Snap-in dentures require dental implants and implant surgery, which will drive up the cost. If you are interested in snap-in dentures but concerned about costs, you should have a conversation with your dentist and they can give you a treatment estimate. The price of snap-in dentures will increase with the number of implants needed.
Care for Snap-in Dentures
Regardless of what tooth replacement option you decide on, taking care of your oral health is key to ensuring you get the most out of your investment. Maintenance may also be a factor in your decision-making process. If your snap-in dentures are removable, the gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth should be brushed everyday just like normal teeth. The removed dentures should be rinsed to remove any leftover food and debris, and then brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Snap-in Dentures Procedure
Including time for healing, the total snap-in treatment procedure can be a lengthy one.
The first step in the treatment plan involves the placement of the implants into the jawbone. After the implants are placed, a healing period of 2 to 6 months is required to allow the bone to fuse to the implants. This fusing provides a strong and stable foundation for the dentures to be attached to. Depending on the dental implant system selected, a second surgery may be necessary to remove gum tissue to uncover the implants and attach extensions. Once the implants are ready, a connector may be attached to the implants to hold the dentures in place. The last step is for the full dentures to be created and fitted to the implants.
Who is a candidate for snap-in dentures?
Snap-in dentures are a perfect tooth replacement solution for individuals who are missing the majority of their teeth due to injury, dental cavities, or periodontal disease. Additionally, snap-in dentures are a better option for patients who do not want to deal with the numerous drawbacks of conventional dentures. Unlike conventional dentures, snap-in dentures can be a permanent solution that restores your ability to eat, talk, and smile again.
Snap-in denture treatment requires an investment in time, money, and potentially discomfort throughout the multiple dental appointments. However, this investment should be considered an investment in the future and your future quality of life. Snap-in dentures offer many benefits over conventional dentures; benefits that will last for years to come.