Snap-On Dentures

Discover the Benefits of Snap-On Dentures for a Secure, Comfortable, and Confidence-Boosting Solution

Snap-On dentures are a popular option for patients who want a secure and comfortable fit. They are also known as implant-supported dentures or overdentures and provide a solution for those who have lost most or all of their teeth.

What Are Snap-On Dentures?

Snap-on dentures are removable dentures with special fittings that allow them to attach to dental implant abutments for improved denture stability. Snap-on dentures, also known as implant-supported overdentures, provide an alternative treatment for denture wearers who have lost most or all of their natural teeth. Because they typically employ two to four dental implants to stabilize a single denture, a snap-on implant supported denture is often a more affordable option than all-on-x locator denture systems requiring additional implants for denture security.

Why Choose Snap-On Dentures Over Conventional Dentures?

Snap-on dentures are a great solution for patients seeking improved denture stability, comfort, and function compared to traditional dentures. While snap-on dentures receive part of their support from the alveolar ridge, they are prevented from moving by dental implants. These implant supported dentures offer patients a host of advantages that include:

Enhanced Stability

Snap-on dentures use implant-supported attachments to hold the dentures in place, eliminating the risk of slipping or shifting at the most inopportune moment, such as while speaking, eating, or laughing.

Improved Comfort

The added stability of snap-on dentures eliminates the need for adhesive powders or pastes, making them more comfortable to wear and easier to clean and care for.

Natural Look & Feel

Snap in dentures work to establish a natural appearance and allow patients to regain their confidence while smiling and interacting with others.

Better Functionality

Since snap-on replacement teeth remain in place during function while offering improved biting capacity, patients can enjoy a wider variety of foods and experience less difficulty with speech.

Preserved Jawbone

Implant dentures give the jawbone a purpose, which helps to prevent resorption, a common issue for conventional denture wearers. Maintaining more bone translates into better support of facial structures and a less sunken appearance.

Easy Maintenance

These implant retained dentures can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance, simplifying oral health routines and allowing easy access for the dental practitioner. Making removable implant supported dentures an ideal denture-cleaning solution.

Snap-On Dentures: Factors to Consider

While snap-on dentures offer patients with missing teeth many distinct advantages over traditional dentures, it is important to acknowledge some of their potential drawbacks:

Cost

Snap-on dentures have a higher initial cost compared to conventional dentures, primarily due to the implant placement procedure. However, the long-term benefits and improved quality of life of fixed dentures often outweigh the initial investment for many patients.

Surgery

Patients must undergo a minor surgical procedure for placement of fixed implant supported dentures into the jawbone. While implant surgery has become a routine procedure, dental surgery may not be suitable for every patient, especially those with certain medical conditions or severely resorbed jawbones. A thorough dental and medical evaluation is essential prior to any treatment in order to minimize the possibility of implant failure.

Types of Snap-On Dentures:

Bar-Retained vs. Ball-Retained

Snap-on overdentures are available in two main styles: a bar-retained and ball-retained snap-in denture, both of which have their unique advantages and disadvantages.

Bar-Retained Snap-On Dentures

These dentures feature a thin metal bar that follows the curvature of the jaw while attached to dental implants. Clips or other types of flexible attachments within the denture base connect the denture to the bar, providing stability and a secure fit. The bar-retained system evenly distributes the forces of biting and chewing, which may reduce stress on individual implants and promote long-term success. However, this option may require additional implants for support as well as a precisely manufactured metal bar that connects all of the implants together, making bar-retained snap-on dentures more costly than ball-retained dentures.

Ball-Retained Snap-On Dentures

Also known by patients as “stud-attachment dentures,” ball-retained dentures use a ball-and-socket mechanism to attach the denture to the implants. Each implant has a small metal ball abutment on top that fits snugly into a housing within the denture base. This system offers a secure fit and easy maintenance, with fewer implants typically required compared to bar-retained dentures. However, the ball-retained snap in dentures may be less effective in distributing biting and chewing forces, potentially leading to premature wear on the attachment components.

Snap-On Denture Comparison Chart

The price ranges quoted in the chart below represent laboratory fabrication costs to dental professionals for typical cases as of 2023.

	PMMA Hybrid with Peek or Titanium Bar	Trusana	Nano Ciramic Hybrid with Peek or Titanium Bar	Full Zirconia Dental Bridge
$	$990 - $1,400	$790 - $990	$1,590 - $1,890	$1,590
Aesthetics	Great	Good	Great	Excellent
Durability/ Strength	Good	Good	Great	Excellent
Noise/Clicking Sound	Minimal	Natural Dentition	Natural Dentition	Strong
Chewability	Good	Good	Great	Excellent
Tension over Implant post	Minimal	Minimal	Moderate	Strong
Repairability	Simple	Moderate	Moderate	Difficult
Hygienic	Great	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Stability/Fit	Good	Good	Good	Good
Weight	Moderate	Light	Moderate	Heavy
Manufacturing Method	Milled	3D Printed	Milled	Milled

Compare Implant Dentures

A table comparing the strengths and weaknesses of different implant dentures in relation to one another.

Partner with Stomadent Dental Lab for Snap-On Dentures

Snap-on dentures are an excellent alternative to conventional dentures, offering a secure, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing removable denture solution for denture wearers seeking to improve their quality of life. Our experienced team is ready to partner with you to bring this transformative restorative option to your dental practice.

Made In the USA

Whether you realize it or not, many commercial dental labs outsource all or part of the fabrication of their appliance components to labs in foreign countries, creating a situation of finger-pointing when a restoration does not fit correctly. Not Stomadent. Stomadent is proud to produce all of their products in their digital dental lab located in Idaho, right here in the USA. Because we don’t rely on outsourcing, we are able to adhere to rigorous quality standards that set us apart from the competition.

Top Precision

From its beginnings in the year 2000, Stomadent made a commitment to innovation and adopting emerging technologies that now allow us to manufacture restorations to exact dimensions and tolerances, assuring a great fit with minimal adjustments every time. Our knowledgeable lab technicians and staff continue to undergo intensive training to remain at the forefront of new materials and technologies that improve the quality of our restorations.

Dedication to Success

We never lose sight of the fact that pleasing your patient is our ultimate goal. That’s why we are thrilled that you have chosen us to be an extension of your dental clinic. With Stomadent, your success translates into our success!