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, snap-on dentures are 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:
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:
Bar-Retained vs. Ball-Retained
Snap-on overdentures are available in two main styles: bar-retained and ball-retained, 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 Hybridwith Peek or Titanium Bar |
Trusana |
Nano Ciramic Hybridwith 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 |
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 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!
