Snap-In Dentures
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, there are many tooth replacement options available to help individuals with missing teeth. There is a good replacement option available for just about everyone, minimizing the embarrassment that comes with having missing teeth. If you are trying to decide which tooth replacement option is right for you, you should work with your dentist and discuss which options may help you meet your oral health needs. Of all of the tooth replacement options, snap-in dentures are designed to offer security, comfort, and durability. Here is more information on snap-in dentures to help you determine if they might be the right solution for you.
What Are Snap-in Dentures?
Individuals who are missing all of their teeth will want to consider tooth replacement options that are designed to help replace multiple teeth. For example, conventional dentures are a popular option because they can replace many missing teeth quickly, easily, and at a relatively low price. However, conventional dentures will likely require refitting overtime as the mouth continues to change shape. Dentures that are not well-fitted will slip and shift in the mouth during eating or talking. This shifting can cause rubbing and irritation as well as impair speaking and eating. Snap-in dentures were designed to offer stability, versality, and improved comfort over conventional dentures. Snap-in dentures securely attach to dental implants or screws placed in the jawbone. Most cases require about two to four implants in the upper and lower jawbone, although more may be necessary. For the treatment, the implants must first be surgically placed in the jawbone before an implant-retained or implant-supported denture can be fitted.
Snap-in Denture Benefits
There are many benefits of snap-in dentures, especially when compared to conventional dentures, including:
- Improved stability: Securely held in place by the dental implants, snap-in dentures will not become loose or shift when you are speaking or eating.
- Improved eating ability: Due to the secure attachment, patients with snap-in dentures are able to return to eating the harder and stickier foods that they once loved but had to give up eating when they got conventional dentures.
- Improved comfort: Without the shifting and sliding caused by poor fit, snap-in dentures don’t cause irritation and therefore offer a more comfortable fit than conventional dentures.
- Improved appearance: Conventional dentures have prosthetic gums made from acrylic to help hold them in place. Due to their attachment to dental implants, snap-in dentures are held in place by the implant and don’t require the prosthetic gum. Less artificial material means a more natural looking appearance.
- Improved oral health: Once fused into the jawbone, the dental implants help restore and preserve the health of the jawbone, preventing further bone loss.
Cons of Snap-in Dentures
Despite all of the benefits described, snap-in dentures do have some limitations that should be considered, including:
- Require surgery: Conventional dentures are quick and easy to fit. Snap-in dentures, on the other hand, require implant surgery, which may be more invasive than some patients would prefer.
- Extra costs: Snap-in dentures require a larger initial investment than conventional dentures, and some of these treatment costs may not be covered by insurance.
- Extra procedures: In addition to the surgery required to install the implants, some patients may also require additional treatments, such as bone grafting, to make sure the jawbone can support the implants.
- Durability: Snap-in dentures are not a permanent dental treatment. Overtime, the denture will wear down with use and will need to be repaired or replaced.
Estimated Costs of Snap-in Dentures
If you trying to decide which tooth replacement option is right for you, you will likely be considering cost as a major factor in your decision. Many dental insurance plans do not cover snap-in dentures. Additionally, snap-in dentures require dental implants and implant surgery. The number of implants needed and the implant surgery will increase the total treatment cost. If you are interested in snap-in dentures but concerned about costs, you should have a conversation with your dentist and contact your dental insurance provider to see if some or all of the treatment will be covered by your policy.
Care for Snap-in Dentures
Regardless of which tooth replacement option you choose, taking care of your oral health is key to ensuring your treatment lasts. Snap-in dentures can be removable, allowing the gums, tongue, and the roof of the mouth to be brushed everyday just like normal teeth. The removed dentures should also be rinsed to remove leftover food and debris and brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Snap-in Dentures Procedure
Compared to how quick conventional dentures are, the total snap-in denture treatment can be a lengthy one when you add on the time it takes to for implants to heal. The first step in the treatment plan is the surgical placement of the implants into the jawbone. After the surgery, a healing period of 2 to 6 months is required to allow the bone to fuse to the implants. This fusing process is critical to ensuring the implants provide a strong and stable foundation for the dentures to be attached. Once the implants are ready, a connector may need to be attached to the implants to hold the dentures in place. Finally, the full dentures will need to be created and fitted to the implants.
Who is a Good Candidate for Snap-in Dentures?
Individuals who are missing the majority of their teeth due to injury, dental cavities, or periodontal disease will be an ideal candidate for snap-in dentures. Snap-in dentures are a perfect choice for patients who do not want to deal with the numerous limitations of conventional dentures. Snap-in dentures can be a long-term solution that restores the ability to eat, talk, and smile again. Initially, snap-in denture treatment requires an investment of 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 patients with missing teeth many benefits over conventional dentures; benefits that will last for years to come.