Implant-Retained
Snap-on Dentures in Egg Harbor Township
Dentures Explained
Usually, when you lose a tooth, it is best for your oral health to have it replaced. Missing all of your teeth can affect your “bite” as well as your ability to speak and chew. Their loss can increase the burden on your remaining teeth and can cause muscle pain in your jaws and headaches. And of course, losing a tooth can affect your appearance. The following information reviews replacing missing teeth with an implant-retained denture, also called a Snap-on Denture.
Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-retained and implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth. It is important to understand that there is a big difference between an implant-retained denture and an implant-supported denture. When speaking of dental implants, retention is used to describe the ability to prevent a denture from falling out or becoming dislodged, but the denture is still supported by the gums. This means the denture is the same size as a traditional denture since it needs support from your gums. An implant-supported requires more implants so that it can transfer support from the gums onto the implants, thus making it smaller and often more comfortable.
of My Lower Teeth?
Snap-on dentures look and feel like traditional, removable dentures, but there are 2-4 locators on the bottom side of the denture that snap onto the dental implants in your mouth. Dr. Erik Mendelsohn has been placing implants for over ten years at his dental office in Egg Harbor Township. His passion is dental implants. Not only do they change the way a person eats, but they also change a person’s life. He finds the implants help to prevent rocking, shifting, or rubbing because your implants keep the appliance secure. It even makes speech much better since your dentures won’t move while you are eating.
Traditional dentures (without implants) offer 75% less chewing force, which means your diet and chewing abilities will be significantly changed. Without dental implants, you must cut up food very small and really learn to train your tongue to hold them in place while you are chewing. Snap-on dentures and All-on-X treatments help to solve that problem. Dental implants can help to improve the way you chew and speak.
When you wear a snap-on denture, you do need to remove your appliance at night when you go to sleep; the same holds true for traditional dentures. The routine care and maintenance is exactly like what you would expect with a traditional denture. Soak it in a cleansing solution overnight, brush it clean the next morning, and wipe your mouth with a washcloth before putting it back in. Overdentures are great for patients who want to stabilize their existing denture or may not be a candidate for an All-On-X treatment. Depending on your oral anatomy, our implant dentists can place anywhere from 2-4 implants for stabilization. A new denture is created to fit on top of them, or your current denture can sometimes be modified/retrofitted so that it snaps in place.
One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing. Without implants, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you will still need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.
It is also important that you see your dentist regularly for cleaning and maintenance of the dentures. Remember, we are replacing your teeth, so they need to be maintained as if they are teeth; that includes brushing, flossing, dental office visits, and other custom techniques. There are techniques involved in cleaning the underside of the denture, and manual dexterity is needed to maintain them properly. These techniques involve using a Super Floss and a water pick with a special tip to clean the underside of the denture. While most prefer Fun Mouth Dental implants, if dexterity is an issue, a removable option may be better for that person.
Dr. Erik Mendelslohn typically uses as few as four implants to support a full-arch prosthesis that mimics the appearance of a natural dentition. While you frequently will hear about an All-on-Four being advertised, it is important to realize that while four can stabilize a denture, adding extra implants may help to further distribute the load across more implants. As a permanent appliance, you never have to take it out. Plus, Full Mouth Dental Implants don’t cover the roof of your mouth and are smaller and more comfortable for your tongue.
Both snap-on and All-on-X dentures help to eliminate the source of sore spots.
Since the denture doesn’t use your gums for a seal, there’s no risk of it rubbing up against them.
Wearing a removable snap-on denture can change the way you talk. Since there’s still an acrylic “plate” across the roof of your mouth, you’ll have to work on making specific speech sounds without slurring or sounding different. It is much better than a traditional denture, but there is still a learning curve. But with an All-on-X appliance, the shape follows the contour of your bite. That means your tongue and lips won’t have as many issues that make you talk differently.
All-on-X implants offer significant advantages over snap-on dentures when it comes to eating. Since they do not cover the roof of your mouth, you get to enjoy the natural tastes of your meals and chew more easily. You will also be able to chew the same foods as you did before you lost your teeth with an All-on-X appliance.
There’s something to be said for the way your smile makes you feel. With an All-on-X implant treatment, you can feel like they are your own teeth. There’s no taking out an appliance when you go to bed at night or having to worry about the way you look when you’re laughing in front of friends. You won’t have to worry about any awkward situations.
Dentures can change the way you look. With implants, you’re naturally supporting the bone in your mouth, which consequently affects your facial profile. All-on-X implants give you the fullness that counteracts “sunken-in” features seen in tooth loss. Rather, your cheeks and lips are supported to add more youth to your face.
Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw.
After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement, and pressure is removed from your gums while still being removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Screw Retained All-on-X Denture
A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture.
Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time-consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.
Snap-On Denture
(Removable)- 2-4 implants for stabilization
- Removable appliance (must remove nightly)
- Snaps securely onto implant locators
- Prevents rocking, shifting, and rubbing
- Improves speech and chewing ability
- Can retrofit existing dentures
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
- Ideal for lower jaw stabilization
- Good option if not a candidate for fixed implants
All-on-X Full Mouth Implants
(Fixed)- 4+ implants per arch for permanent teeth
- Fixed/permanent (never removed)
- Temporary teeth provided during 4-6 month healing
- Premium zirconia prosthetics for natural appearance
- Doesn’t cover roof of mouth
- Maximum chewing force and stability
- Maintained like natural teeth (brushing/flossing)
- Customizable color, shape, and fit
All of My Upper Teeth?
A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Schedule your visit with our dentists in Egg Harbor Township, NJ and take the first step toward a healthier smile.
