What Are Snap-In Implant Dentures?

Snap-In Implant Dentures are dentures with special fittings that allow them to attach (snap-in) to the dental implants your doctor places.

Securely attach your dentures to your jawbone, providing stability and preventing them from slipping or shifting.

By anchoring your dentures with dental implants, you can enjoy improved comfort, confidence, and the ability to eat and speak without worry.

Life-Changing Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

Enhance enjoyment of favorite foods | Dental implants secure dentures, allowing for more powerful and confident chewing.
Permanent solution | Dentures do not need to be removed from the mouth.
Confidently smile and laugh | No worries about dentures falling out.
Improved comfort | Reduced movement and less rubbing or chafing.
Enhanced nutrition | Better chewing ability.
Suitable for low bone density | Ideal for individuals with insufficient bone for traditional implants.
Prevent bone loss | Implants stimulate jawbone growth, reducing bone loss.
Minimize gag reflex | Palate removal can eliminate or reduce gagging caused by dentures.
Increased comfort | Implants reduce irritation from denture movement.
Enhanced taste sensation | Removal of upper denture's palate allows for better food tasting.

Snap-In Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

Although traditional dentures are aesthetically pleasing and offer an affordable solution for replacing damaged or lost teeth, they may fall short in terms of overall functionality, stability, and chewing efficiency.

Limitations of conventional dentures (without implants):

The following are issues commonly experienced with traditional dentures:

Limited chewing power: The movement of the lower denture results in very little chewing power, typically only 10-20% of what a person had with natural teeth. The constant pushing and pulling of the tongue and cheeks make the lower denture unstable.
Speech difficulties: The movement of the lower denture can make speaking challenging.
Embarrassment: The inability to eat comfortably around others, laugh freely, and engage in confident conversation due to the fear of dentures becoming loose and falling out can cause embarrassment.
Discomfort: Traditional dentures, especially lower ones, often move around and can cause irritation and discomfort by rubbing and chafing the gums.
Poor nutrition: The loss of chewing power may prevent patients from eating a balanced diet and properly digesting food.
Bone loss: After tooth extraction, significant bone loss occurs and continues throughout a person's life. This makes wearing traditional dentures increasingly difficult over time.
Gagging: Traditional upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth to provide stability through suction. However, for many individuals, this covering can trigger a gag reflex. Trimming the denture to reduce gagging compromises stability and natural suction.

Snap-In Implant Dentures help to improve all of these issues tremendously.

Am I a Candidate?

The majority of patients are eligible! We'll simply require a brief consultation to confirm. During this appointment, we will conduct a three-dimensional scan of your jawbones, the doctor will conduct an oral examination of your mouth, and they will thoroughly review your medical history with you.

How Many Implants Will I Need?

Upper An upper implant denture necessitates a minimum of four implants.
Lower For a lower implant denture, a minimum of two implants is necessary, although opting for three or four typically yields a substantial enhancement in retention and stability.

Snap-In Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

Here at Dentistry of Uptown Charlotte, we offer a revolutionary solution: all-on-4 dental implants. This advanced technique allows us to restore a full arch of teeth with just four implants. This provides a secure, natural-looking smile in a shorter time frame. Here are the remarkable benefits of all-on-4 dental implants:

Faster Treatment & Recovery: Unlike traditional implants, all-on-4 lets you walk out with a temporary denture on the same day of surgery. This eliminates the need for multiple procedures and allows for a quicker return to normalcy.
Reduced Need for Bone Grafting: The strategic placement of the implants often eliminates the need for bone grafting, a procedure that can add time and cost to traditional implant treatment.
Enhanced Stability & Comfort: All-on-4 implants are surgically placed into your jawbone, providing a secure foundation for your new teeth. This eliminates the slipping and discomfort associated with traditional dentures.
Improved Oral Function: With a stable, implant-supported denture, you can enjoy a wider variety of foods and experience a significant improvement in your ability to speak and chew.

Available Financing & Payment Options

Our pricing stands as the most competitive in the region while ensuring the finest end outcome. This is made possible through the expertise of our extensively trained dentist, who oversees the entire procedure, in collaboration with our skilled in-house dental lab technician. Together, they have executed this procedure countless times from inception to completion.

proceed finance

Extended payment plans available for reduced monthly payments (up to 96 months)

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Get interest-free financing for up to 12 months.
Choose longer-term options for lower monthly payments, up to 60 months.
Increase approval chances by applying with a co-applicant.

Snap-In Implant Dentures Procedure Timeline

On average, the entire process usually spans approximately six months from beginning to end.

CONSULT

This is the first step in the full arch process. During this appointment, you will meet with your Dr. Kurt O. Bally DMD FICOI to discuss your needs and options for dental implants. The consultation will typically take about an hour. This first and free visit is $525 value.

STEP 1

STEP 2

RECORDS

Your dentist will take a series of records, including dental x-rays, 3D scans, and photographs. These records will be used to create a treatment plan and to fabricate your dental implants.

PRE-SURGICAL CONSULT

This appointment is held before the surgery to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the recovery process. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have.

STEP 3

STEP 4

SURGERY

This is the procedure where the implants are placed into your jawbone. The surgery typically takes about 2 hours per jaw and is done safely with oral anesthesia. All patients leave with their new temporary teeth on the day of the surgery and will return within 1-2 weeks to have their first post-op visit and receive their fist implant prototype teeth. It is important to remain on a very soft diet after surgery and before receiving your first prototype.

PROTOTYPES

1-2 weeks after your surgery you will return to check your healing and receive your first set of implant prototype teeth that will be attached directly to your implants. We allow up to 3 versions of teeth during the healing process to ensure the dentist and patient is happy with the look and feel. As your implants heal your dentist will create a series of prototypes for your implant bridge. These prototypes will be used to test the fit and function of the bridge before it is permanently placed.

STEP 5

STEP 6

HEALING

The implants will need to heal for 4-6 months before the next step can be taken. Dr. Bally will also provide a night guard to help prevent excess pressure from going to your implants. As you heal you will remain on a soft diet.

PROTOTYPING AND VERIFICATION

Once the implants have healed, your dentist will create a final prototype of your dental bridge. This prototype will be verified to ensure that it is the correct size, shape, and color. Before authorizing the fabrication of your new zirconia implant smile.

STEP 7

STEP 8

DELIVERY

This is the appointment where your permanent dental bridge is placed. The procedure typically takes about 1 hour. It's a truly rewarding visit for everyone.

POST-DELIVERY CONSULT AND DOCUMENTATION

This appointment is held after your new zirconia implant smile is installed and your final night guard is given and instructions to maintain your smile are discussed. Final pictures, X-rays and video mark the end of your zirconia implant smile journey.

STEP 9

STEP 10

MAINTENANCE

Your zirconia implant smile will need to be maintained on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to function properly. This may include cleaning, adjustments, and checkups.

Procedure

Following the extraction of any remaining teeth and the completion of any required oral surgery procedures, the implants are surgically positioned within the jawbone. Subsequently, the implants are typically not visible, remaining untouched in your jaw for a minimum of four months as your bone bonds with them through a process known as osseointegration.

Post Op

We will schedule a brief post-operative appointment, typically set for the day following your procedure. During this appointment, we will assess your oral condition, make certain that your dentures are as comfortable as can be, and address any inquiries you might have.

Soft Liners / Soft Re-Fittings

Soft liners are inserts we periodically add to your dentures as you undergo the healing process. They fill the gaps between your healing gums and dentures, providing cushioning to your gums. This not only enhances the comfort of your dentures but also improves their overall fit and feel.

Uncovery

This involves a minor surgical procedure in which we uncover the implants and affix small healing abutments on top of them. This process is aimed at shaping your gum tissue correctly and preparing you for the final stage of your snap-in dentures.

Attachment of Implants to Dentures

We will replace your healing abutments with denture abutments and complete the necessary procedures to secure your dentures onto your implants. This phase is typically completed within a single day, although in some cases, it may require a slightly longer duration.

Snap-In Implant Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

Frequently Asked Questions

The feasibility varies. In an ideal scenario, we would distribute dental implants to facilitate the removal of the palate in a snap-in denture. With our All-On-4 procedure, we can assure palate removal, but this assurance may not always apply to standard snap-in dentures.

When we successfully eliminate the palate, it often enhances taste sensitivity for many patients and heightens their sensitivity to hot and cold, resulting in a more authentic experience. Additionally, for individuals with a pronounced gag reflex, palate removal can offer relief.

Usually, maintenance is required approximately once or twice a year. The frequency may vary based on factors such as the number of implants, your bite strength, how often you remove and reinsert your dentures, and other relevant considerations.

CAUTION: It is essential to refrain from biting your dentures into position on your implants, as this can accelerate wear on the inserts. Only use your hands to put your implant dentures in place.

Significant bleeding should cease before you leave the clinic; however, anticipate some minor bleeding (oozing) for 1-3 days following the procedure. Furthermore, when we initially insert your denture(s), you may experience increased salivation, which, when mixed with a small amount of blood, can appear more significant. If heavy bleeding persists, please contact the office.

A longstanding home remedy that remains effective for promoting clotting and stopping bleeding involves the use of tea bags. Simply dampen a regular tea bag, remove excess water, place it on the extraction site or sites, and the tea bags will aid in clotting. Multiple tea bags can be used if necessary, and replace them if they become saturated with blood. You can repeat this process as often as needed.

At present, we do not provide zirconia implants. Titanium implants have a well-established history of success spanning several decades, whereas zirconia implants are relatively new to the market, and their long-term success remains uncertain. Our primary goal is to ensure the highest level of success and predictability in the long run for our patients. Therefore, we have chosen not to offer zirconia implants at this time.

No, this procedure is not exclusive to the elderly population. In fact, it's quite prevalent for individuals in their 40s, 30s, and even 20s to require tooth replacements. The advantages of replacing damaged teeth extend significantly to one's overall physical well-being. Furthermore, having teeth that enable you to smile, laugh, and converse with confidence can have a substantial positive impact on your emotional health. It's important to emphasize that the need for tooth replacement at a relatively young age is by no means unusual.

Snaps | Periodically, you'll need to change out the snap rings in your implant dentures. These wear and lose retention over time and as you take your teeth in and out. They're quick and affordable to have changed out.
Cleanings | Just like with natural teeth, you'll need to have your implants cleaned periodically. Any buildup on your implants will be removed, and your dentures will be cleaned.
Periodic re-fittings | Your mouth will still change over time, so your dentures will need to be re-fitted to ensure their best performance and ensure that unnecessary stress isn't being put on your implants.
Home maintenance | It only takes a few minutes a day. Take your dentures out 1-2 times per day and brush them with a denture brush or a very soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, don't forget to clean your implants; scrub these with a very soft dental brush also.

Snap-In Implant Dentures in Charlotte, NC

What Are Snap-In Implant Dentures?

Life-Changing Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures