If you’re looking to replace a full set of teeth, you’re likely considering dentures. But did you know that traditional dentures come with some important limitations? As they naturally lose their fit over time, they move around in your mouth, making eating, speaking, and even smiling risky. If you want a more stable tooth replacement option, implant-retained overdentures are a great choice. Sometimes called “snap-on” dentures, these prosthetics connect to dental implants placed directly into the jawbone. The implants provide a stable base but still allow you to remove the prosthetic for thorough cleaning. The SNAPSecure system is a type of snap-on denture that uses conventional dental implants. However, these bulky implants can be prohibitive for those seeking reliable tooth replacement. If you are searching for a SNAPSecure alternative, mini implant snap-on dentures provide the same result without the drawbacks of conventional implants.
Why Look for a SNAPSecure Alternative?
SNAPSecure, a product of the Affordable Dentures & Implants organization, is a removable implant-retained overdenture. It’s a perfectly fine prosthetic, but it has limits, given that the system uses conventional implants.
As a Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA) in Syracuse, NY, we’re proud to specialize in mini dental implants. Using them to stabilize your existing dentures or anchoring a new set of overdentures allows us to provide implant dentures to more patients than ever. Thanks to the slim design of mini implants, patients previously ineligible for traditional implants or those looking for less invasive options can experience the benefits of snap-on dentures.
If you’re considering a SNAPSecure denture without considering an alternative, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Part of the MDICA advantage is that we specialize in mini dental implants, but we’re not beholden to them. Dr. Bradford can adjust his approach to meet each patient’s needs, offering versatility that big-box operations can’t always match.
The Advantages of Mini Dental Implants
The narrow width of mini implants makes them more efficient, versatile, and reliable than larger, traditional implants used in the SNAPSecure denture system. Consider these benefits of mini implants:
- Minimally invasive procedure: To place a mini implant in the jaw, Dr. Bradford makes a small pilot hole through the gums. Traditional implants, on the other hand, require an incision and stitches. For patients who have anxiety about invasive medical procedures, mini implants are a more attractive option.
- Shorter healing period: The bigger the implant, the longer it takes to fuse fully with the bone. Traditional implants take three to six months, while mini implants osseointegrate in about three weeks.
- Instant results: Traditional implants can’t support a custom denture until they fully heal, so you’ll spend months using temporary teeth and eating a limited diet. However, mini implants are “immediate loading implants,” meaning that Dr. Bradford can attach your final denture immediately after placing the implants.
- Greater affordability: Mini implants require fewer office visits and less healing time, which makes them more affordable than conventional implant dentures.
The Mini Implant Denture Process
A snap-on denture secured with mini implants involves a more efficient process than the SNAPSecure method. Here’s what you can expect:
- Free consultation: Dr. Bradford will examine your teeth and take complimentary 3D X-rays at your consultation, which costs extra with SNAPSecure. You can ask him questions and discuss your goals and preferences. This exam and discussion help Dr. Bradford design your personalized treatment plan. At this initial visit, we’ll also take an impression of your teeth to create your custom denture and schedule your procedure date.
- Implant placement and denture attachment: First, we’ll numb the targeted area with a local anesthetic. Next, Dr. Bradford will drill tiny pilot holes in the gums and carefully place each mini implant needed to secure your denture. Immediately after, he will attach your custom restoration.
- Recovery process: After the procedure, you experience minor soreness that should subside within 48 hours. and can be mitigated with over-the-counter medication. With mini implants, you’ll care for your new teeth the same way you’d care for natural ones. As always, a strong oral hygiene routine is important to keep the surrounding teeth and gums healthy.
Mini Implant Snap-On Dentures: A Remarkable SNAPSecure Alternative
The limitations of SNAPSecure and traditional dental implants can be confining. At The Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Syracuse, NY, we offer a more versatile, personalized dental experience. If you are ready to learn how mini implants can transform your life, call our office to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help you take the first step towards a more secure, confident smile!