If you have missing teeth, it's important to replace them for your oral and overall health. Thankfully, you can do this through snap-in dentures. But how do you know if this is the best teeth replacement option for you, and where can you find them at an affordable price?
In this article, we'll take a closer look at some important information about snap-in dentures including:
- What snap-in dentures are
- Snap-in dentures price
- Snap-on dentures pros and cons
- The procedure for these dentures
- Reviews for snap-in dentures
We hope this information helps you make the best decision for your oral health.
If you want to find a dentist for snap-in dentures right now, but you need a little help, you can call 866-383-0748. You'll be connected with a live operator who will be able to connect you with a prosthodontist in your area.
In This Article
What are Snap-in denture implants?
Snap-in denture implants are a type of false teeth that are secured in your mouth with dental implants. They are less expensive than dental implants, and more expensive than dentures.
For the purposes of this article, we will mostly refer to them as both snap-in dentures and snap-on dentures, but they are also called snap-on denture implants, denture implants, dentures with implants, screw-in dentures, implant dentures, implant-retained dentures, and clip-in dentures.
They can require as few as two dental implants, and if your bone isn't strong enough for standard implants, in many instances, mini implants can be substituted.
This type of denture is considered to be a better tooth replacement option than standard dentures that use adhesive to stay in your mouth, and a much better tooth replacement option than purely cosmetic products like clip-on veneers (although clip-on veneers should hardly be considered a tooth replacement option).
However, the fact that they involve implants and surgery also makes them a more expensive option. They are, however, cheaper than a full mouth of implants, or even All-on-4s, making them a sort of middle-of-the-road option for people with missing teeth.
How do snap-in dentures work?
First, you get dental implants placed in your upper or lower jaw, or both, if you need a full set of false teeth. Then, you ‘snap-in' your snap-in dentures which are held in place by the implants.
You can eat and drink with your overdentures, but they typically need to be taken out at night.
Snap-in dentures vs permanent dentures
It's easy to get the two confused but there are some key differences between snap-on denture implants and permanent or fixed dentures. Permanent dentures also require implants to be placed in your jaw.
Your dentures are then fitted over your implants. They differ from snap-on dentures implants in that you can't remove them by yourself, instead, a dentist will remove them for you if they need to be repaired, replaced, or cleaned.
You may have heard of All-on-4s as a teeth replacement option. This is also a type of permanent denture. If you're interested in learning more about this option, you can read our full All-on-4s guide.
Snap-in denture implants, just like permanent dentures, also use implants with dentures for stabilization. They can be worn all day and while eating and drinking, but then they must be taken out at night.
Snap-in denture implants vs standard false teeth
When considering the options for restoring your smile, you'll find a wide range of possibilities and a wide range of prices.
On one end of the spectrum, you'll have options that are mostly cosmetic, and on the other end, you'll find options that closely mimic what it's like to have natural teeth. You'll also find that the cosmetic options are usually a lot cheaper than the options that are both cosmetic and functional.
The mostly cosmetic, cheaper side includes things like clip-on veneers, which clip on over your natural teeth, improving the look of your smile.
On the other end of the spectrum, you've got dental implants, which consist of a screw that is implanted into your jawbone that takes the place of a tooth root. And then on top of that is an abutment and a crown that attaches to the abutment and replaces the visible part of the tooth.
Snap-on denture implants fall somewhere on the implants side of the spectrum because while they aren't as stable and permanent a solution as a full mouth of dental implants, they are considered to be a much better solution than a purely aesthetic option. As implants, snap-on dentures help prevent bone loss, which is imperative for retention and stability.
Standard dentures don't involve implants and are secured in your mouth usually with adhesive.
If they are good quality, they can help you speak and eat mostly like you would with natural teeth, so they are better than a purely aesthetic option, but they aren't as good as implants.
One important thing to consider when making your decision about what type of denture to choose is the chewing functionality. Dentures must be extremely stable in order to handle chewing. Problems chewing can negatively impact your health in terms of nutrition.
This study compares chewing effectiveness between conventional dentures and implant dentures. Implant-based dentures decreased the amount of chew time by half compared to conventional dentures. Additionally, implant-based dentures exhibited a major bite force. In that context, both implant-retained dentures and implant-supported denture options are considered better than removable dentures that use adhesive to stay in your mouth.
Implant retained vs implant-supported dentures
Implant retained dentures include snap-on dentures; they require as few as two implants, which can also be mini implants and help with eating and speaking in a more natural manner while stopping some of the bone loss that can happen with missing teeth.
Implant-supported dentures generally require more implants, which absorb some of your bite impact for a stronger bite. These are better at stopping bone loss than implant-retained dentures and are also more expensive. All-on-4 implants are one example of this.
Snap-on dentures pros and cons
To help decide if this is a good option for you, check out these pros and cons provided by the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation:
Pros
- Helps regain proper speaking and eating capabilities
- More stable than standard dentures
- Better aesthetics than standard dentures
- Implants help stop the deterioration of the jawbone
- Require fewer implants compared to fixed implant-supported complete dentures
Cons
- One of the more expensive teeth-replacement options
- Surgery involved
- Slow rehabilitation process compared to conventional dentures
- Not as good a solution as All-on-4 implants or standard dental implants
Snap-on denture procedure
- Your dentist will determine if your jawbone is strong enough to support implants. If not, you will first need to get a bone graft, and your gums will need to heal.
- Your oral surgeon or periodontist will insert the implants into the jawbone. This is a surgical procedure.
- The healing process will last for the next two to six months, as the bone grows around your implants so they are secure. You can wear immediate dentures at this time
- A second surgery may be necessary in order for a locator to be attached to the implants. The locator is the base for your overdentures.
- After you heal from the second surgery (normally a two-week period) you can then get your snap-on dentures.
Cost of snap-in dentures
Snap-in dentures cost in the US anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. The range is so wide because the price depends on how many implants you need, the materials used, and of course which clinic you go to.
But whether you have to pay closer to $1,000 or $10,000, it can be a hefty price that most Americans will have trouble funding.
Thankfully, there are dental insurance plans available that offer coverage for restorative dental services like snap-on dentures. Some plans can cover up to 50% of your procedure, while with others you pay a fixed copay and the insurance covers the rest.
We know that dental insurance can be expensive and it can also be difficult to know which plan to choose.
But we are here for you — we've created a special comparison tool that shows you the top plans in your area to help guide you in your decision.
It takes just a few seconds to fill in your DOB and zip code, and you'll see full coverage plans that cover your needs. Get started with the form below!
Alternatively, many people opt to get their snap-on denture implants abroad in places like Mexico, because standards of care there are just as high as in the United States, and prices are much lower since the cost of living is so much lower. To find out more about this option, you can read our article dedicated to dental tourism.
If dental tourism interests you, you can get help finding a quality clinic in the country of your choice. MTC has many years of experience finding reputable clinics abroad. Just fill in your details below to get started and get your free quote.
If you want to get a close estimate of the snap-on dentures cost in your area, you can call 866-383-0748 to connect with a dentist near you.
Loans for snap-in dentures
If dental insurance isn't an option, another way to pay for your snap-on dentures is by taking out a dental loan. With a dental loan, you can get the money you need to pay for treatment upfront, and then pay it back in installments over time.
You can read more about how to do this, along with the pros and cons, in our loan article here. If you're ready to look at your loan options, SuperMoney can help you search, compare and choose loans.
Snap-in dentures reviews
“Nobody wants to be without teeth”
Jorene lost her front tooth by accident. The dentist put it back, but it only stayed in place for a short time. As a result of this, she got dentures but wasn't happy with her upper denture because it was not staying in place and constantly had sore spots.
The problem was that her maxilla was very atrophic, which means it had lost a lot of bone. Her teeth had been out for a long time, which can be a problem because dentists need both quality and quantity of bone when they place implants. She finally got snap-in dentures so that she could wear them, and she was happy with the results. Nine years after getting her snap-in dentures, she is doing great and everything is in place.
“Oh, I'm happy!”
Kelly had been wearing dentures since the painkillers she was taking for her back adversely affected her teeth. She was looking for a better way to hold her dentures in place because she didn't like the basic glues that were being used.
She looked into snap-in dentures and decided to get the procedure done. She had 16 implants placed to securely snap her new dentures in place. Kelly is so happy with her snap-in dentures because she can now eat lacking having to deal with sticky glues.
“I love my teeth, I'm glad I made this decision”
Danny from Oklahoma talks about his experience with snap-in dentures and how happy he is with how natural they feel and how well they work for eating.
He was astonished by the outcomes of the snap-in dentures that were fitted after his teeth were extracted, and he had very little discomfort during the process. He experienced a little soreness after the procedure, but he did not need to use pain medication.
Have a look at the following table for a summary of the pros and cons of snap-on dentures versus other kinds of smile restoration options.
Pros | Cons |
Less expensive than full implants | More expensive than purely cosmetic options |
Helps reduce loss of jawbone | Aren't as good as normal implants in stopping bone loss |
Helps regain normal speech | Not as strong as normal implants |
Can eat mostly normal diet |
Conclusion
If you have missing teeth, it's important for your oral health and your overall health that you get them replaced. The best way to get teeth replaced is with dental implants, but these are out of the price range for many people.
You may want to consider dental financing options, like dental insurance, which you can search for at Dentalinsurance.com. Alternatively, another, more affordable option is snap-on dentures, which, according to dentists, aren't as good of an option as normal implants, but are a much better option than superficial smile replacements like standard adhesive dentures, which over time slip and may not fit like they should, and a much better option than clip-on veneers.
You and your dentist will have to decide which is the best option for you, based on what you are able to afford. Remember, oftentimes an investment in your oral health is an investment in your overall health.
If you need help finding a dentist who offers snap-on dentures, you can call 866-383-0748 to be connected with a live operator who will put you through to a prosthodontist near you. If you still have some questions and you want to talk to a dentist online, find out more about teledentistry and online dentist appointments.
FAQs
How much do implant-supported dentures cost?
Snap-on dentures can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 in the US, depending on how many implants you get and where you go. You may be able to finance them in various ways.
One of the best financing options is just to ask your dentist about payment plans, so you can spread your payments out over time. You may also want to consider dental tourism, but you need to make sure to find a trustworthy overseas dentist if you choose that option.
What are denture implants?
Denture implants are overdentures that are kept in place with implants. There are two kinds of denture implants: Implant-retained dentures and implant-supported dentures. Implant-retained dentures require as few as two implants per jaw.
They can be used for talking or eating, and improve bite force, but aren't the best replacement for a natural bite. These are meant to be taken out after eating. Snap-on dentures are an example of implant retained dentures.
Implant-supported dentures generally involve more implants and thus take the force of your bite off of your gums, and direct it into your implants, much like with natural tooth roots. These are normally not meant to be taken out at night. All-on-4 implants are an example of implant-supported dentures.
Are snap-on dentures worth it?
You'll need to speak with your dentist about your oral health needs and your budget. Snap-on dentures aren't as good as regular dental implants, but they are better than nothing.
They also usually tend to be a better option than dentures that aren't secured by implants, and for many people, they are more affordable.
3 Ways To Finance Dental Work That Aren’t Insurance
Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation: Implant overdentures, introduction. Consulted 31st January 2020.
PubMed: A comparative evaluation of chewing efficiency, masticatory bite force, and patient satisfaction between conventional denture and implant-supported mandibular overdenture: An in vivo study. Consulted 15th December 2021.