What Are Snap-In Dentures?

Over 120 million Americans have lost teeth, and most of them wear traditional dentures. These conventional dentures rely on a patient’s remaining natural teeth and bone structure to stay in place, which can lead to sagging facial muscles and an unattractive smile over time. Snap-in dentures offer a more stable and secure alternative to traditional dentures, while also looking more like natural teeth. However, they do require dental implants to support them, which makes them more expensive than traditional dentures. If you are considering snap-in dentures, it’s important to understand all of your options for tooth replacement. This article will discuss the three main types of snap-in dentures, and what to expect from each.

What Are Snap-in Dentures?

Snap-in dentures are a type of dental implant overdenture, which means that they are supported by dental implants. Typically, a patient will need two or four implants per jaw to support the upper and lower denture. The implants are surgically placed into the jaw bone, and they will need to heal for 2 to 6 months before the denture can be attached to the implant. In some cases, a second surgery will be needed to uncover the implants and attach a locator, which will be used to connect the denture.

For the best results, patients will need to maintain proper oral hygiene habits in order to keep their snap-in dentures clean and healthy. It’s essential to brush the gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive cleaner. It’s also important to rinse the dentures before brushing them to eliminate loose food particles and debris. Lastly, it’s important to store the dentures in water when they aren’t being worn to prevent them from becoming dry and flaky.

While there are many benefits to having snap-in dentures, there are also some drawbacks. For instance, they can be more expensive than traditional dentures, and the abutments that snap the denture to the implants will need to be tightened periodically. Additionally, the dentures will break down over time and will need to be replaced. Despite these drawbacks, snap-in dentures are still an excellent option for those who need to replace missing teeth.

If you are interested in getting a set of snap-in dentures, contact your local Aspen Dental care team today to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to go over all of your options for tooth replacement and help you find the solution that works best for your needs and budget. We look forward to helping you get a beautiful, healthy smile!