Advantages of Snap-in Implant Dentures

Snap-In Implant Dentures are custom dentures that securely attach to dental implants, providing a stable, non-removable solution for missing teeth. With these implants, you can enjoy your favorite foods, smile confidently, and experience improved comfort compared to traditional dentures. Snap-In Dentures help prevent bone loss, stimulate bone production, and reduce discomfort caused by denture movement. They offer enhanced chewing ability, better nutrition, and eliminate issues like gagging. Unlike traditional dentures, which can shift and cause irritation, Snap-In Implant Dentures offer a more reliable, comfortable, and long-lasting solution. Most patients are candidates for this treatment, and the procedure generally takes about six months to complete.

Snap-in Implant Dentures in The Woodlands, TX - Dentistry and Orthodontics

What Are Snap-In Implant Dentures?

Snap-In Implant Dentures are custom dentures designed to securely attach to the dental implants placed by our doctors at The Woodlands Dentistry and Orthodontics in The Woodlands, TX. Anchoring your dentures with dental implants allows you to:

Enjoy your favorite foods: With dental implant support, you can chew with more power and confidence.
Non-removable: These dentures stay in place and don’t come in and out like traditional dentures.
Smile and laugh without worry: Feel confident knowing your dentures won’t slip or fall out.

Benefits - Snap-in Implant Dentures in The Woodlands, TX

Benefits Of Snap-In Implant Dentures

Enhanced Comfort: Less movement, rubbing, and chafing compared to dentures.
Improved Nutrition: Easier chewing leads to better food intake and digestion.
Ideal for Bone Loss: Suitable for individuals with insufficient bone for traditional implants.
Reduced Bone Loss: Stimulates bone growth, preventing further bone loss.
Reduced Gagging: Minimizes or eliminates gagging with some upper implant options.
Enhanced Taste: Enjoy the full flavor of your food.

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Snap-In Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

While traditional dentures may look good and offer a cost-effective solution for replacing missing teeth, they often fall short in terms of functionality, stability, and chewing ability.

Shortfalls of traditional (non-implant) dentures:

Limited Chewing Power

Traditional dentures provide only 10-20% of the chewing power you had with natural teeth due to their instability. The movements of your tongue and cheeks can constantly push and pull on the lower denture, keeping it unstable.

Speech Difficulties

Speaking can be challenging as the lower denture shifts, affecting your ability to pronounce words clearly.

Embarrassment

The fear of dentures becoming loose or falling out can make it difficult to eat in front of others, laugh freely, or speak confidently.

Discomfort

Since traditional dentures, especially lower ones, often shift, they can rub and irritate the gums, leading to discomfort and soreness.

Poor Nutrition

The reduced chewing ability makes it harder to eat a balanced diet and chew food sufficiently for proper digestion.

Bone Loss

After losing natural teeth, bone loss is inevitable and continues over time, making traditional dentures harder to wear as your jawbone shrinks.

Gagging

Traditional upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth for suction and stability, but this can cause gagging for some individuals. Trimming the denture to reduce gagging affects its stability and suction.

Candidacy - Snap-in Implant Dentures in The Woodlands, TX

Am I a Candidate?

Most patients are candidates for Snap-In Implant Dentures! To determine if it's the right option for you, we'll need to schedule a quick consultation. During this appointment, we will take a 3-dimensional scan of your jawbones, perform an oral examination, and review your medical history in detail with you.

How Many Implants Will You Need - The Woodlands, TX

How Many Implants Will I Need?

Upper: An upper implant denture typically requires at least 4 implants for proper support.

Lower: A lower implant denture requires a minimum of 2 implants; however, 3 or 4 implants usually offer a significant improvement in retention and stability.

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Snap-In Implant Dentures Procedure Timeline

The process typically takes around 6 months from start to finish.

1

Procedure

After any remaining teeth are extracted and any necessary oral surgeries are completed, the implants are placed into the jawbone. These implants are typically not visible and will remain in your jaw for a minimum of 4 months. During this time, the bone will naturally attach to the implants through a process called osseointegration.

2

Post Op

We will schedule a quick post-operative appointment, usually for the day after your procedure. During this visit, we will assess your mouth, ensure that any dentures are fitting comfortably, and address any questions you may have.

3

Soft Liners / Soft Re-fittings

Soft liners are cushioning materials placed in your dentures during the healing process. They fill in the gaps between your gums and dentures that develop as your gums heal, providing added comfort and cushioning. Soft liners help improve the fit and feel of your dentures, making them more comfortable during this time.

4

Uncovery

This is a minor surgical procedure where we expose the implants and attach small healing abutments to them. These abutments help shape the surrounding gum tissue, ensuring it is properly prepared for the final placement of your snap-in dentures.

5

Attachment of Implants to Dentures

We will replace your healing abutments with your denture abutments and complete the necessary steps to securely attach your dentures to the implants. This procedure is typically completed in one day, though in some cases it may take a little longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not currently offer general anesthesia, but we do provide oral consc ious sedation to help you relax during your procedure. This medication often causes patients to have little to no memory of the procedure. We will write you a prescription, and you can pick it up at your preferred pharmacy. Important: You MUST have a driver with you who can take you home after you take the sedation medication, as you should NOT operate any motor vehicles or machinery afterward.

It depends on the case. Ideally, we would need to distribute the dental implants more evenly to remove a portion of the palate in a snap-in denture. With our All-On-4 procedure, we can guarantee the ability to remove the palate, but this is not always possible with snap-in dentures.

When we can remove the palate, it enhances the ability to taste for many patients and also increases sensitivity to hot and cold, creating a more natural feel. Additionally, for patients with a severe gag reflex, removing the palate of the denture can provide significant relief.

Typically, you should have adjustments 1 to 2 times per year. The frequency depends on factors such as the number of implants you have, the strength of your bite, how often you remove and insert your dentures, and several other factors.

WARNING: PLEASE AVOID BITING YOUR DENTURES INTO PLACE ON YOUR IMPLANTS! This can cause significant wear on your inserts and shorten their lifespan. Always insert your implant dentures by hand.

Significant bleeding will have stopped before you leave the clinic, but you may experience some slight bleeding (oozing) for 1-3 days after the procedure. You might also notice increased salivation when we first place your denture(s). When saliva mixes with a small amount of blood, it can appear to be more blood than it actually is. If heavy bleeding persists, please contact the office.

A helpful home remedy for promoting clotting and stopping bleeding is using tea bags. Simply dampen a regular tea bag, squeeze out the excess water, and place it on your extraction site(s). The tannins in the tea help with clotting. You can use multiple tea bags if needed and replace them when they become saturated with blood. Repeat this process as often as necessary.

No, this procedure is not just for the elderly. It’s actually quite common for people in their 20s, 30s, or 40s to need to replace their teeth. Replacing damaged teeth can significantly improve your overall physical health. Additionally, having teeth that allow you to smile, laugh, and speak confidently can greatly benefit your emotional well-being. Needing to replace teeth earlier in life is not uncommon.

It may take some time, but with patience and practice, your mouth and tongue will adjust to your new teeth. S sounds can be the most challenging to pronounce at first. Practicing words like "Mississippi" and "sixty-six" can help you get used to speaking with your new dentures. In some cases, patients may notice a slight lisp over time, but this tends to improve as you become more accustomed to the implant dentures.

Snap Rings: Over time, the snap rings in your implant dentures can wear down and lose retention as you take your dentures in and out. Periodically, you'll need to have them replaced. This is a quick and affordable process.
Cleanings: Just like natural teeth, your implants require regular cleaning. Any buildup on your implants will be removed, and your dentures will be cleaned to maintain their appearance and function.
Periodic Re-fittings: Your mouth can change over time, so it's important to have your dentures re-fitted periodically to ensure the best performance and avoid putting unnecessary stress on your implants.
Home Maintenance: Maintaining your dentures is simple and only takes a few minutes each day. Remove your dentures 1-2 times daily, and brush them using a denture brush or a very soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t forget to clean your implants as well—use a very soft dental brush to keep them in great condition.

Snap-In Implant Dentures In The Woodlands, TX