Snap In Dentures

Snap in dentures can provide an excellent permanent solution for missing teeth, as well as a sound alternative to conventional dentures. In contrast to conventional dentures, which have no anchor in the mouth and can float and move while their wearer is eating or talking, snap in dentures “snap” firmly into place and stay there – hence the name.

Structure of Snap In Dentures

The support system that anchors snap in dentures is exactly the same as that which supports a single dental implant crown. Unlike single dental implant crowns, however, which require their own individual dental implant, snap in dentures can be supported by as few as two to four dental implants per arch. Generally speaking, more implants are required on the top arch than the bottom, since gravity is also working in favor of the bottom arch remaining in place.

In the creation of dental implants, the dental implant fixture is the first piece of the dental implant to be installed in the mouth. This piece must be surgically embedded as it is inserted into the hard tissue of the jaw, where it is then given two to six months to meld with the jawbone in a process referred to as osseointegration.

Once the dental implant has become firmly embedded and all the tissues have healed completely, the connecting piece – called the abutment – can then be attached to the implant fixture below the gumline. The soft tissues of the gums must then be allowed some more time to heal before the snap in dentures themselves can be attached to the implant. At this point, once the structure has been created, the dentures can simply be snapped in and out of place.

Candidates for Snap In Dentures

Snap in dentures are a great option for wide swaths of the general population. They are an excellent choice for both a 28 and an 82-year-old; there is no upper or lower limit on age in terms of who is best suited for dental implants or the snap in dentures they support. One caveat is that there must be an adequate amount of healthy bone mass available in the jaw for the dental implant fixture to be inserted and remain firmly anchored. While bone loss can be a one of the hallmarks of aging, it can also happen at any time due to a number of reasons, which is why it is important that all candidates for dental implants or snap in dentures will need to be screened to ensure that enough healthy bone mass exists for the implants to function properly.

If enough healthy bone mass is not currently present, there are still a couple of options. Mini dental implants are one such option; these utilize the exact same process and structure as traditional dental implants but use a thinner and smaller dental implant fixture. This allows mini dental implants to make purchase in smaller amounts of bone mass while still providing strong enough support to retain snap in dentures and other forms of implant-retained prosthetics.

In cases where there is not enough healthy bone mass present for mini dental implants to be utilized, bone grafting can also be undertaken. This of course will lengthen the amount of time that it takes for snap in dentures to be created and placed, as more healing time will be required, but can provide an option for those who are willing to undergo the extra step.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Snap In Dentures

There are many benefits to snap in dentures, particularly as compared to conventional dentures. The main benefit for most people is increased functionality. Because snap in dentures are anchored by dental implant fixtures that are embedded into the jawbone, much like the roots of natural teeth, the strength afforded by the implant structure is extremely impressive. While those with conventional dentures may struggle to eat certain foods like steak or corn on the cob due to the low strength and functionality of floating dentures, those with snap in dentures are able to enjoy a much wider variety of foods. Because snap in dentures do not cover the roof of one’s mouth, as conventional dentures do, they also allow for much greater enjoyment of one’s food, as more exposed taste buds lead to increased taste and pleasure.

Because of the firm anchor of the dental implant fixtures, snap in dentures remain firmly in place not only while eating but at all times of the day. In fact, one can choose to have their snap in dentures fixed permanently into place, meaning that they never have to be removed. This can not only provide a tremendous amount of peace of mind – the simple knowledge that your teeth will never move around when you’re eating, talking, or laughing with friends – but can also make the transition to having dentures seem like a return to normalcy; simply having teeth that function exactly as they always have.

While snap in dentures are one of the preferred methods of tooth replacement for these very reasons, there are also some considerations to keep in mind. For one thing, snap in dentures are more expensive than conventional dentures. The price for two implants can start and $6000 and rise from there, so snap in dentures are not necessarily the most cost-effective option for replacing teeth. The dentures themselves will also require maintenance and even replacement over time, as well. The implant fixtures, however, are made to last for decades.

Caring for Snap In Dentures

Maintaining regular dental visits is an important aspect of caring for snap in dentures, as you will want to have your dentures inspected regularly for wear and tear that may require attention. Beyond that, however, the care required for snap in dentures is very little. For those with removable snap in dentures, it is important to remove them at night and soak them in a cleaning solution as you would a set of conventional dentures. For those with fixed dentures, one simply needs to brush and floss as they normally would to maintain proper oral hygiene.

For more information on how snap in dentures could provide the tooth replacement solution that you are looking for, contact our office today for a personalized consultation.

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