Medically Reviewed By: Elizabeth Felts Randall, DMD, MS
Snap-on dentures are a more secure alternative to removable complete dentures for patients in Dalton, Georgia, who do not want or cannot receive hybrid dentures. Dental implants support a snap-on denture, providing more stability and better function than traditional dentures. At Chattanooga Periodontics & Dental Implants, Dr. Felts and Dr. Randall help patients understand their options for denture support and what to expect.
What Is a Snap-On Denture?
A snap-on denture is an implant-retained denture with O-rings in its base that snap onto dental implants—small screw-shaped artificial tooth roots. Dr. Felts and Dr. Randall surgically place dental implants in the patient’s jawbone near the front of the mouth, where jawbone volume is usually stronger and thicker. Unlike a nonremovable hybrid denture described in our previous post, patients snap off the denture before bedtime for an oral hygiene routine that includes the following:
- Cleaning the denture base, teeth, and O-rings that snap onto dental implants
- Cleaning their gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth
- Cleaning the dental implant abutments and flushing away debris around them with a water flosser
How Do Snap-On Dentures and Hybrid Dentures Compare?
A snap-on denture is a removable prosthesis that attaches to dental implants. In contrast, a nonremovable hybrid denture screws onto dental implants, and only a doctor can remove it. A 2017 article published results from a systematic review of 26 studies comparing traditional and implant-retained dentures. The studies show that patients with implant-retained dentures reported significantly higher satisfaction in these areas:
- Significantly Better Comfort
- Significantly Stronger Stability
- Significantly Improved Ability to Speak and Chew
- Significantly Higher Satisfaction in General
Snap-on and hybrid dentures also differ in the number of implants required and the degree of denture stability.
Fewer Dental Implants
A snap-on denture requires fewer dental implants than a hybrid denture, making it available to more patients than a hybrid denture. Also, fewer dental implants make snap-on dentures less costly than hybrid dentures.
Stability, Function, and Jawbone Stimulation
The stability, function, and jawbone stimulation of a snap-on denture makes it preferable to a traditional denture. Even if a patient does not want or qualify for a nonremovable hybrid denture, three ways they can benefit from a snap-on denture include:
- Stability – A snap-on denture provides less stability than a nonremovable hybrid denture but far more stability than a traditional denture, enabling a patient to speak and eat more comfortably.
- Function – Patients can eat comfortably and speak confidently without concerns that the denture may dislodge.
- Jawbone Stimulation – Dental implants for a snap-on denture stimulate the jawbone in areas around the implants to minimize bone shrinkage.
Chattanooga Periodontics & Dental Implants is a third-generation family business. Complete our contact form to request a consultation with Dr. Felts or Dr. Randall if you want to know if snap-on dentures or an alternative will improve denture comfort and function. Visit our Snap-On Dentures page or the previous blog post on nonremovable hybrid dentures.
