Dentures have been used for decades as a teeth replacement option for people who have lost all their natural teeth. Unfortunately, traditional dentures can shift, causing irritation or erosion of the gum and bone tissue.
Fortunately, most of these shortcomings have been addressed by snap on dentures, also called implant-supported overdentures, that offer improved support and comfort by securing the denture in place. Snap on dentures offer a number of benefits.
Stability
While standard dentures rest on the gums and depend on suction forces to stay in position, snap on dentures are securely held in place with dental implants. The prosthetic tooth arch literally snaps onto these implants, eliminating sliding or slipping while speaking or eating. Snap on dentures also prevent irritation as they won’t rub against the gums.
Improved confidence
Snap on dentures provide renewed self confidence and improved self esteem as you can speak more clearly, eat different foods comfortably, and laugh without fear of the dentures slipping or coming off. They also eliminate the need for messy denture adhesives to keep the dentures in place.
Easy to maintain
Snap on dentures are secured tightly to the dental implant support structure, however you can “snap off” the dentures for regular cleaning and maintenance. When removing your dentures you will hear a “snap” when they are detached. Implants should be professionally cleaned by your dentists every 6 to 12 months, in addition to regular nightly cleaning. Use the appropriate denture cleaning agents when cleaning your snap on dentures, and remove the denture each night to allow the gums to rest.
The cost of snap-on dentures versus regular dentures
The cost of snap on dentures consists of two components: the new denture and the supporting dental implants. The design and fabrication of your snap on denture is similar to a conventional denture, with a few modifications. Dentists can quickly and easily use a mold to obtain the cast for the upper and lower sets of overdentures with little or no preparatory work needed with regard to preparing the gums. That being said, the fees for snap on dentures will be higher than a conventional ones, mostly due to the work needed to connect the denture to your dental implants.
As for the cost of the dental implants, that will vary depending on how many implants are needed and the type of attachment used. Typically, a lower denture will require two or three implants, and an upper needs the support of four or five dental implants.
To determine if you are a good candidate for snap on dentures, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with our dentists.
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