Snap-On Dentures vs. Permanent Implants: What’s the Difference?
Have you finally decided to do something about your multiple missing and failing teeth, and now you’re bewildered by the vast array of options available for those seeking full mouth rehabilitation? This is not surprising. Total teeth replacement has come a long way in the past few decades, and dental implants have made a variety of options possible.
Among those options are snap-on dentures and full mouth dental implants, also known as All-on-4® or All-on-X. These dental restoration solutions are similar in that they both involve a full dental prosthetic secured in place with dental implants. Both are also far superior in many ways to traditional removable dentures. However, beyond that, snap-on dentures, also known as removable overdentures, and full mouth dental implants are quite different.
Before we describe those differences in detail, let’s quickly define dental implants, the component that makes these full mouth restoration options possible.
What are dental implants?
Crafted from high-quality titanium, dental implants are metal rods that an oral surgeon places in a patient’s mouth, through the gums and into the jawbone. A single implant can anchor a single artificial tooth, or multiple implants can hold a full row of teeth in place.
Titanium is the implant material of choice because, after several months, it will fuse well with natural bone tissue. Additionally, when properly cared for, titanium implants can last a lifetime.
Dental implants provide a superior teeth replacement option because they replace a patient’s invisible natural tooth roots while anchoring the prosthetic teeth that are so conspicuous whenever the person smiles. This is an important benefit, as the chewing action of natural tooth roots stimulates the body to generate new jawbone tissue. Traditional removable dentures don’t replace the tooth root function, which means, over time, a person without teeth will probably experience a shrinking jawbone and potentially noticeable aging effects in their facial appearance.
Comparison of permanent full mouth implants vs. snap-on dentures
The biggest difference between permanent All-on-X dental implants and snap-on or snap-in dentures is how they’re designed for use. As the name implies, permanent dental implants are fixed, not removable. A fabricated prosthetic that resembles natural gums and teeth is affixed to the dental implants and cannot be removed except by a dentistry professional.
Snap-on dentures, on the other hand, are designed to easily snap in place on the abutments (tops) of dental implants and removed daily for cleaning, usually at bedtime.
Appearance and feel
When provided by a highly skilled and well-respected provider, both snap-on and All-on-X dentures deliver a more satisfactory appearance and feel than conventional dentures because they are held in place by implants rather than adhesive products. The wearer need have no concern about their dentures slipping during speech or dining. What’s more, the fabricated teeth affixed to implants are likely to be more natural-looking than traditional dentures.
Hands down, however, the appearance and functionality of a high-quality dental prosthetic that’s permanently attached to dental implants is superior to that of snap-on dentures. In fact, no other restorative dental device can match – much less surpass – the ability of permanent implants and custom-crafted teeth to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth.
One of the main reasons that prosthetics anchored by permanent implants outperform their snap-in counterparts is that a snap-on device requires a dental plate that covers the roof of the mouth. This can cause discomfort as well as interfere with a wearer’s ability to taste food properly. For some people, the plate affects their speech. Contrast this to the permanently affixed bridge and teeth, which simply follow the natural contours of the jaws with no need for a plate.
Food restrictions
Once the initial healing phase from the implant procedure has been completed, both snap-in denture wearers and those who choose permanent dental implants will be able to enjoy a much wider variety of foods than traditional denture wearers. However, snap-in dentures are more prone to damage from hard and sticky foods, which means wearers are often advised to avoid those foods.
On the other hand, those who opt for high-quality teeth anchored by permanent implants that have been placed by a well-experienced oral surgeon will be able to eat just about anything they want after their implants have fused with their bone tissue.
Maintenance
Again, no other teeth replacement option beats All-on-X dental restoration when it comes to mimicking the characteristics of natural teeth. This means the daily at-home hygiene routine for people with full mouth dental implants is similar to that of those who have natural teeth. Moreover, just like those who have never replaced their teeth, full mouth implant patients will usually be advised to get professional dental cleanings about twice a year.
Those with snap-in dentures, however, are typically advised to remove their dentures at night and soak them in a cleaning solution.
Longevity
With proper care and an investment in high-quality zirconia teeth, whole mouth dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. But the nature of snap-on devices promotes a higher level of wear and tear, which leads to a loose fit after a few years. Dentists typically recommend replacing the overdenture after five to 10 years.
Availability of same-day results
Dental rehabilitation patients who choose snap-on dentures may have to get their implants first, then wait for days or weeks to get their snap-in prosthetics from an outside lab. Patients who entrust their teeth replacement to the experts at New Teeth Now, the go-to provider of full arch and full mouth dental implants, can receive their dental implants and custom-designed teeth on the same day. We’re able to provide this significant benefit because we offer all the necessary services – including a dedicated dental implant team, high-tech imaging equipment, restorative dentistry specialists and in-house lab capabilities – all under one roof.
Cost
At first glance, full mouth dental implants may seem to cost more than snap-on dentures. But it’s important to consider the additional costs of replacing the snap-on devices after five or 10 years, as well as the money spent on denture cleaning products year after year.
Evaluating your choices – consider the pros and cons
Without a doubt, replacing your teeth with the one-and-done dental implant solution offered by New Teeth Now is the top-of-the-line choice for those who want the fastest, most reliable and longest-lasting results. The New Teeth Now process has allowed thousands of patients to smile and laugh again with ease as well as eat nutritious foods and go about their day without worrying about loose teeth and painful gums. In fact, many of our patients tell us our comprehensive teeth replacement services have given them their lives back.
However, if you’re on the fence about whether to invest in a top-quality, full set of custom teeth and All-on-X dental implants that are designed to last a lifetime, here are a few things to consider:
Advantages of choosing snap-on dentures
- Snap-on dentures will cost less in the short term than opting for full mouth dental implants.
- Having two to four implants placed in your jaw to hold your snap-in device may pave the way for an All-on-X procedure in the future.
- Snap-on dentures affixed to dental implants will deliver some of the health benefits of replacing your natural tooth roots, such as stimulating your jawbone to regenerate bone tissue.
Disadvantages of choosing snap-on dentures
- Snap-on dentures are generally crafted from acrylic material, which is not considered as durable or as natural-looking as the zirconia teeth you’ll receive with a full arch or full mouth dental implant restoration from New Teeth Now.
- You’ll likely have to undergo the prosthetic-fitting part of your oral rehabilitation again in five or 10 years because your snap-in dentures will become worn or ill-fitting.
- Snap-on dentures, while better than conventional removable dentures, are unlikely to deliver the comfort, self-confidence and satisfaction you’ll receive with a custom-crafted prosthetic that’s permanently attached to your dental implants, thereby creating a true tooth replacement.
- Dental professionals who place implants for snap-on denture patients may not be oral surgeons, which means they will be unable to offer general anesthesia for those patients who want a reliably pain-free experience. They may also have less training and experience in dental implant placement if they don’t specialize in the procedure.
Who is a candidate for full mouth dental implants?
Another factor to consider when choosing between snap-in dentures or a full set of teeth that’s permanently affixed to dental implants is whether your gums and jawbone are healthy enough for dental implant placement. Many snap-on denture patients are told they must undergo a series of deep cleanings to treat advanced periodontal disease before they’ll be good candidates. Others are told they must have bone grafts to build up their jawbone density to support dental implants.
The exceptionally experienced and board-certified oral surgeons at New Teeth Now don’t require patients to undergo these costly and time-consuming procedures before they can enjoy the benefits of full mouth implants and custom-designed teeth. Our process includes effective periodontal disease treatment, removal of any remaining teeth and expert placement of the precise number of dental implants needed for each patient – all in one procedure.
Moreover, our surgeons routinely treat highly complex cases that require specialized implants, such as zygomatic implants that are embedded in the cheekbone instead of the jawbone for patients whose bone density is too diminished for traditional implants. This means that just about anyone who has many missing and decaying teeth is a candidate for our comprehensive dental restoration procedure.
Additionally, when you turn to New Teeth Now for full mouth dental implants, your procedure will be performed using general anesthesia, thus ensuring that you’ll sleep peacefully through the experience. Most of our patients have little to no pain afterward, and they go home the same day with their first set of custom teeth.
Ready to learn more?
Conducting internet research is a great way to become familiar with the pros and cons of various teeth replacement options. But it can’t compare to discussing your unique condition with the experts at New Teeth Now, who can help you determine whether snap-on dentures or our comprehensive All-on-X implant services are right for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at New Teeth Now.
