Dental implants are one of the best options available for replacing missing teeth. When a patient needs to replace a full arch or both arches, traditional dentures are always an option but an implant supported denture is more comfortable for the patient and much more natural looking. Many things can lead to a patient losing their teeth including periodontal disease, accident or injury, some medications, and pre-existing medical conditions. Your dentist will be able to help you decide what type of restoration is best for your case and lifestyle.
In the section, we will discuss implant supported dentures. This type of denture can be removable or permanent, depending on the patient's preference. A permanent denture is secured onto dental implants with screws or cement and cannot be taken out except by the dentist. A removable denture is held in place with nylon O-rings instead of cement or screws. This allows the patient to remove the denture for cleaning, oral hygiene, and maintenance.
Benefits of Snap-in Denture
A traditional denture is held in place using denture adhesive and retention which can lead to the patient having trouble keeping the denture in place throughout the day. A snap-in denture is significantly more stable and secure for the patient while eating and drinking since they cannot move around due to the implant supports. Dental implants are a titanium post that is surgically placed directly into the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for the restoration which is, in this case, the snap-in denture.
Dental implants have an added bonus of supporting bone health as they continually work to support bone regeneration whereas a traditional denture sits on top of the gum tissue and can lead to bone degeneration. The roots of our teeth stimulate bone growth with the minor movements that occur when we eat and speak and dental implants are an artificial tooth root that does the same thing. When the bone does not have something to support, the cells that make up the jawbone spend their efforts elsewhere in the body, causing the bone to break down. This breakdown can cause traditional dentures to become ill-fitting and uncomfortable to wear, even causing sores on the gum tissue where the denture slips and rubs against the tissues.
Having dental implants placed does require surgery which is not without risk, as is the case for any surgery. Dental implants are very common and have a success rate of about 95% and a little risk of complication. The only risks that patients may face are risk of infection or implant failure. Some patients may need to have a bone or gum graft before implants can be placed to ensure sufficient bone structure which is vital to the success of the implants.
A snap-in denture is also more expensive than a traditional denture but they have a much longer lifespan and give the patient a higher quality of life. A traditional denture may need to be replaced every 10 years or so due to bone deterioration and changes in facial structure which can make the denture uncomfortable. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance and a snap-in denture will only need to be replaced if it becomes damaged or worn. The nylon O-rings that allow the denture to snap into place on the implants may need to be replaced every year or so due to regular wear and tear but that is not an invasive or expensive process.
Procedure for Snap-in Denture
The biggest part of the snap-in denture process is having the dental implants placed. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants but for those who are overall healthy and can withstand implant placement surgery and healing time, implant supported dentures are the best option. For this process, your dentist will work in conjunction with a dental specialist, either a periodontist or an oral surgeon, who will place your implants. Your dentist will fabricate and place the denture.
Once it has been established that you are a candidate for dental implants, the doctor will apply a numbing agent to the areas being treated. Then, a local anesthetic is injected and a small incision is made in the gum tissue at the site where an implant will be placed. Snap-in dentures utilize anywhere from 4 to 8 implants per arch, depending on bone health and doctor preference. Once the incision is made, they will drill a small hole in the jawbone and place your dental implant. A bit of the implant is left protruding through the gum tissue which is where the nylon O-ring will eventually be placed for the denture to snap onto.
After the implants have been placed, you will receive a temporary denture to wear while the implants heal. The healing process can take up to six months depending on how well the implants integrate with the bone tissue. Osseointegration is the process of the bone structure growing around and infusing to the implant and is crucial to the success of the implant. The temporary denture that you wear will help protect the implants from damage and infection while they heal.
Once the specialist clears you for restoration, your dentist will start the process of fabricating your new snap-in denture.
Caring for Snap-in Denture
Oral hygiene with a snap-in denture only has a few modifications! When cleaning a snap-in denture, it is taken out and rinsed with tepid water and then with a soft-bristled brush, brushed with denture safe oral care products to remove any food residue and surface stains. When the denture is out, it is important to clean around your implants and brush your gum tissue to help stimulate blood flow and keep them healthy. When the denture is not in your mouth, it should be in water to keep it from becoming brittle and you should not sleep in your snap-in denture. It is also important to maintain regular visits to your dentist for implant maintenance cleanings and to ensure that your denture is fitting properly and does not have any chips or fractures.
Cost of Snap-in Denture
Snap-in dentures may cost up to $10,000 depending on the number of dental implants that need to be placed. If you need any preparatory surgeries such as a bone graft or gum graft, a few hundred dollars may be added to your overall cost of treatment. Dental insurance will probably help ease your out-of-pocket cost but typically only pays out between $1500 and $2000 per year.
If you need a denture, speak with your dentist to see if an implant supported snap-in denture would be a good choice for you. They are much more natural-looking and comfortable and can last a lifetime. Even with the hefty initial price tag, they could be more cost effective in the long run.