Snap-in, snap-on and implant dentures in Charlottesville, VA

Implant dentures are an enhanced version of traditional or conventional dentures. They fit onto permanent dental implants that are surgically placed in your jaw so your smile fits securely and you can eat with confidence. Implant dentures go by many names, such as:

• Snap-in denture

• Snap-on denture

• Hybrid denture

• Denture implant

• Overdenture

• Implant-supported denture

Regardless of which name they go by, removable dentures that secure onto implants provide stability and comfort by being secured into place, eliminating any need for adhesives.

How long implant dentures last is dependent on which part of your smile—the implants or the denture—you’re referring to. Implant dentures are comprised of 2-4 implants per arch (an arch refers to a row of teeth, so you have two arches in your mouth) and 1 denture that sits atop those implants. So, let’s break down the longevity of an implant denture based on its components:

Implant: With proper care, your dental implants can last 25+ years

Denture: On average, dentures last about 10 years with proper care¹. To get the most out of your smile, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends having your denture professionally assessed by your dentist every 5 to 7 years.

¹Group author: National Institute of Health. (2023 March). Longevity of Partial and Complete Dentures. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yes, they can look real. In fact, with Aspen Dental, your implant denture is customizable with:

• A precise impression for your most comfortable fit

• 27 tooth shades for a smile that looks natural

• 4 gum shades to blend in with your gums

Dentures rest atop your gums and need to be secured into place using adhesives. This can lead to difficulties in eating a wide range of healthy foods, and can limit you in the healthy options available to you that you’re able to chew.

Implant dentures snap onto implants in your mouth, making them more secure and easier to use for eating without adhesives. While the dentures are removable for easy cleaning, the implants are permanent.

Yes. Implant dentures “snap-in” when you place the denture overtop of your implants and press them into place.

What are implant dentures
Implant dentures, also known as snap-in dentures or implant-supported dentures, are an enhanced version of traditional or conventional dentures. They fit on top of permanent dental implants that are surgically place in your jaw so your smile is both removable and secure, so eating and cleaning is easier than ever.

When it comes to implant dentures, the success rate refers to the implants being placed in your jaw and how successfully they fuse with your jawbone. With this in mind, implant dentures have a high rate of success at 98%², which makes them more stable and durable than traditional dentures.

²Frisch, E., et al (2020 July) Long-term results of implants and implant-supported prostheses under systematic supportive implant therapy: A retrospective 25-year study.

In comparison to traditional/conventional dentures, yes. Because your denture will be secured into place with permanent implants, chewing is easier. In fact, implant dentures have 3x the bite force of traditional dentures, which is why you can eat more of the foods you love without the need for adhesives.

It’s normal for patients to feel some discomfort and pain along their implant denture journey, specifically for a day or two after the implants are placed in your jaw, or if you need extractions.

At Aspen Dental, we do everything we can to keep you as comfortable during the process, so you can get back to enjoying life your way as soon as possible.