If you have experienced significant tooth loss, your dentist may have suggested that you get implant dentures to rebuild your smile. Yes, this option can give you a strong bite, beautiful aesthetics, and many other benefits! But there are a few different types of implant dentures. For example, you might have to choose between All-on-4 and a snap-on prosthetic. How do these options compare? Continue reading below to discover important information.
What Are They?
All-on-4 is a full-arch tooth replacement that uses four dental implants, placed at strategic positions in the jawbone, to support a complete row of teeth. You get a temporary denture on the same day as your surgery, which is replaced later by a permanent prosthetic. These dentures are permanently fixed to the supporting implant posts.
Snap-on dentures, sometimes called implant-retained dentures, also rely on dental implants. However, instead of a fixed denture, they use a removable denture that clips onto small attachments. You can take the dentures out for daily cleaning, and they feel much more stable than traditional dentures.
How Do They Compare?
Both treatments can replace an entire arch of missing teeth, and both use implants to give you a strong and sturdy bite. However, there are some key differences between them:
- Strength: All-on-4 is usually the stronger choice because the restoration (denture) stays fixed in place. Snap-on dentures can also feel secure, but they may not provide the same bite power as a fixed prosthetic.
- Maintenance: With All-on-4, you brush and clean around your prosthetic each day, much like you would care for natural teeth. Your dental team may also recommend special tools for cleaning beneath the bridge. With snap-on dentures, you have to remove the denture each day and clean both the prosthetic and the implant attachments.
- Comfort: All-on-4 can feel slimmer and more natural because it does not need to cover as much of your gums or palate. Snap-on dentures can feel bulkier because they have a plate that covers the roof of the mouth, but many patients still find them much more comfortable than traditional dentures.
- Cost: Snap-on dentures often have a lower initial price because they may use fewer implant posts and a removable prosthetic. All-on-4 often costs slightly more, but it may offer more long-term stability and convenience.
When it comes to choosing between All-on-4 and snap-on dentures, there is no universal best choice; there is only the choice that is best for you. Ask your care team to help you compare your options so you can make a well-informed decision.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Douglas Baldwin is a Texas native and a highly accomplished implant dentist. In fact, he studied at the prestigious California Implant Institute. Under his leadership, our team offers multiple dental implant procedures in a welcoming environment. If you are ready to explore your tooth replacement options, contact our Arlington office at 817-478-4300.