What are Snap-In Dentures?
As the name suggests, snap-in dentures are completely replaceable teeth that snap into their place. These are also known as implant-supported dentures and can be helpful to people who lost their natural teeth or face problems like Tooth Decay.
While traditional dentures can slip out of their places, snap-on dentures are more stable and versatile, which means that you don’t have to worry about them falling off while you eat or indulge in any other activities.
How Do The Snap-In Dentures Work?
Snap-in dentures make use of dental implants to fit into their place. Generally, dentists prefer using two to four screws in each jaw. However, patients can go up to 10 if they have the proper budget. The dentists install the snap-on dentures once the implants are ready in your jaw. Snap-on dentures are primarily made using an acrylic base, and hence they can replicate your original teeth perfectly.
What are the Advantages of Snap-In dentures?
Snap-In dentures cost more than regular dentures; however, their benefits make the extra price worth it. Implant-supported dentures have been gaining popularity for a while now, and most patients prefer them over traditional dentures because of their benefits. Let’s look at what makes them better so you can choose the right option for you.
- Snap-in dentures provide better comfort and a more natural feel than traditional ones.
- The implant-supported dentures help you to improve your chewing ability. Very few food particles get stuck between dentures, allowing users to eat harder or stickier food.
- Snap-in dentures are also helping to preserve bone loss around your face.
- These dentures are also easier to clean and maintain when compared with traditional dentures. You can easily take them out at the end of your day and keep them safe in a box.
Lastly, Researchers have found out that snap-in dentures can help to improve your biting force by 300%; hence it is much higher than the other traditional dentures.
What are the Disadvantages of Snap-In dentures?
Not every treatment is perfect, and everything comes with its pros and cons. It’s the same case with snap-in dentures as it also brings its cons. While there are many advantages to choosing implant-supported dentures, there are some disadvantages as well. So let’s take a look:
- Dental Implant surgery is needed when you want to go ahead with snap-in dentures. This makes it more costly and forces you to visit a professional clinic that charges higher even when someone is lacking funds.
- Snap-in dentures aren’t covered in the majority of the dental insurance plans.
- These dentures tend to break down in the longer term.
What is the Procedure for Snap-in dentures?
Getting these dentures fitted in your mouth can be a lengthy procedure, and it may get tiresome for some people. Dentists usually start the process by placing the implants in your jawbone, and that’s usually followed by a 3 to 8 months waiting period so the implants and bone can bond together.
Once the implants are ready, a connecting device might get tightened onto them so it can hold your implants perfectly. Once that’s done, these dentures are installed, and the process ends. This procedure might vary for every person since it depends on the condition of their teeth and the dentist they visit.
Here are a few questions that might bother you:
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Are implant-supported dentures painful?
Before going ahead with these implant-supported dentures, a patient has to get dental implants. The procedure is fast, and dentists use anesthesia, so the patient doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort.
Hence, wearing snap in dentures isn’t painful, but patients might feel slightly awkward at first until they get used to it like any other procedure.
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How to care for snap-in dentures?
Once you get snap-in dentures fitted in your mouth, it becomes essential to take proper care to get the right return for your investment. You can start with brushing your teeth daily before you wear your dentures. It is recommended to use a soft toothbrush if you don’t want to cause damage to your mouth. Lastly, when you take out your dentures, make sure that you keep them with water in a safe place, so they don’t get damaged or lose their original shape.
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How Long Do Snap-In Dentures Last?
The answer to this question differs from person to person because everyone cares for their dentures differently, which affects their dentures’ life. Usually, patients try to get their dentures replaced after 15 to 20 years; however, the plastic snaps require a replacement every 6 to 12 months.
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What is the cost of getting such implant-supported dentures?
The cost for such dentures is relatively high, and since it’s not covered in the insurance plans, you might have a hard time paying off the price. However, customers can choose to go with finance options to make the payment process stress-free. Depending on your dentist, getting these dentures usually starts from $5000 and goes up to $30,000.
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Who is a candidate for snap-in dentures?
People who have lost most of their natural teeth due to an accident, gum line cavities, or disease can be suitable candidates for implant-supported dentures. People who don’t like wearing regular dentures and want something much more comfortable can also get them.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of how Snap-in dentures work, you should visit your dentist so you can get them installed in the right way.
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.