What Are Snap-In Implant Dentures?
Snap-In Implant Dentures are specifically designed dentures that can easily attach (snap-in) to the dental implants installed by your doctor. By anchoring your dentures with dental implants, you can benefit from:
- Enhance your dining experience | By anchoring your denture with dental implants, individuals can savor their preferred dishes with increased strength and self-assurance.
- Non-removable | Stays fixed in the mouth, unlike removable dentures.
- Smile and laugh with confidence, knowing your dentures are secure.
- Experience greater comfort | Dentures with reduced movement, minimal rubbing, and chafing
- Receive better nutrition | Chew up food better
- Minimal bone requirement | Ideal for patients with insufficient bone for implants.
- Prevent bone loss | Although bone loss may persist after tooth extraction, dental implants stimulate the jaw, promoting ongoing bone production.
- Minimize or eradicate gagging | In certain instances, a segment of the palate may be excised, revealing the mouth's roof. This action diminishes or eradicates the gagging sensation induced by your denture.
- Increased comfort | Dental implants help reduce or eliminate the irritation caused by the movement of the dentures.
- Enhance taste | Certain patients with implants may undergo partial removal of their upper denture's palate, improving their ability to taste food.
Snap-In Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures
Despite their aesthetic appeal and affordability, traditional dentures are limited in terms of functionality, stability, and chewing capacity. Non-implant dentures have several drawbacks, including:
- Reduced chewing ability | The movement of the lower denture limits chewing power, resulting in only 10-20% of natural teeth's effectiveness. The constant movement caused by tongue and cheek actions destabilizes the lower denture.
- Speech | Speaking can be challenging due to the movement of the lower denture.
- Embarrassment | Individuals feel embarrassed and uncomfortable eating, laughing, and speaking in front of others due to the fear of dentures slipping out.
- Pain | Traditional dentures, especially lower ones, frequently shift, causing gum irritation and pain.
- Poor nutrition | The loss of chewing power makes it difficult for patients to eat a balanced diet and properly digest food.
- Bone loss | After tooth extraction, significant bone loss occurs and continues throughout a person's lifetime. This makes wearing conventional dentures increasingly challenging over time.
- Gagging | Many individuals experience gagging because the traditional upper denture covers the roof of their mouth, providing suction and stability. Trimming the denture to reduce gagging compromises stability and natural suction.
- Snap-In Implant Dentures greatly improve all of these issues.
How Many Implants Will I Need?
Upper | A minimum of four implants is required for an upper implant denture.
Lower | Although a lower implant denture can work with just two implants, adding three or four implants typically improves retention and stability significantly.
Snap-In Implant Dentures Procedure Timeline
On average, the entire process usually spans approximately six months from beginning to end.
1
Procedure
After extracting all of your teeth and completing any necessary oral surgeries, the implants will be placed into your jawbone. Over time, the implants will typically blend in seamlessly and become unnoticeable. They will remain undisturbed in your jaw for at least 4 months, allowing your bone to fuse with them through a process called osseointegration.
2
Post Op
We will have another meeting for a short post-operative check-up, usually scheduled the day after your procedure. In this appointment, we will evaluate your mouth, make sure you are comfortable with your dentures, and answer any questions you may have.
3
Soft Liners / Soft Re-Fittings
Soft liners are designed to provide comfort and support during the healing process of your denture. These cushions are placed periodically to fill in any gaps that may form between your gums and dentures as you heal. Additionally, they offer a cushioning effect for your gums, improving the overall fit and feel of your dentures.
4
Uncovery
This procedure involves a minor surgery in which we expose the implants and attach small healing abutments to shape your gums, preparing you for snap-in dentures.
5
Attachment of Implants to Dentures
We will exchange your healing abutments for denture abutments and carry out all necessary procedures to attach your dentures to implants. Usually, this procedure can be completed within a day, although in some cases, it may take a little longer.