Once the tentative plan has been reviewed, the surgical part will proceed.

1. The Doctor will numb your mouth thoroughly with local anesthesia for the surgical implant placement.
2. They’ll make an incision in your gums where they’ll place the implant to expose the underneath bone.
3. They’ll use a quiet, specialized drill to drill a hole and create a space in the bone for the implant.
4. They’ll screw the implant in place using the same implant drill or a hand tool.
5. Once they fit the implant in place, they’ll screw a second component into the implant which will stay in place during your healing process.
6. They’ll close your gums over the implant with one or two stitches.
7. Your implant will become attached to your bone securely over the next several months.

SECOND APPOINTMENT

1. The Doctor will re-expose your implant. They’ll make another small incision in your gums, exposing your implant unless they placed a separate component on your implant that sits above your gums.
2. They’ll place a small extension on your implant to take an impression. The lab will use this component to fit your snap on denture.
3. Wax rims are placed in the mouth to establish a proper bite and orientation (occlusion) of the teeth. Patients can then select the size, shape and shade of the teeth for the denture. Your dentist will help you to make this selection, but we also recommend having someone who knows you very well help make the selection. Your dentist will send the impressions, as well as the selection for shape, size and shade to a dental lab.
4. Try-In: This is a critical step in the denture process. The dental lab will send a mockup of your denture, which includes a set of pre-made plastic teeth, set in wax, to make sure you are happy with the general color, look, fit and feel of the denture. If any changes are needed, additional try-in appointments may be necessary. Once the denture is made to your satisfaction, the try-in denture will be sent back to the lab to create the final denture. At Rio Grande Dental, we will always help to make sure you are pleased with your denture, and that it looks and feels as natural as possible.
5. This is the fitting of your final snap on denture. The lab has now processed the premade teeth into a hard, tissue colored acrylic base. If necessary, your dentist will make adjustments to the fit and the bite, and you may need to return to the office if you experience any sore spots or issue within the next few weeks to have the denture adjusted.

Snap-on Dentures look and feel like traditional, removable dentures. However, there are 2-4 locators on the under-side of your “plate,” which attach on top of implant abutments. Snap-on dentures are essentially dentures that snap in place. There’s no rocking, shifting, or rubbing because your implants keep the appliance secure. When you wear a snap on denture, you’ll need to remove your appliance at night when you go to sleep. The routine care and maintenance is exactly like what you would expect with a traditional denture. Soak it in a cleansing solution overnight, brush it clean the next morning, and wipe your mouth with a washcloth before putting it back in.

Overdentures are great for patients who want to stabilize their existing denture may not be a candidate for an all on 4, all on 6  treatments, or have extensive bone loss in their jaws. Depending on your oral anatomy, our implant dentists can strategically place anywhere from 2-4 implants for stabilization. A new denture is created to fit on top of them, or your current denture is modified/retrofitted so that it snaps in place.

No messy adhesives

No embarrassing slippage

Implants retain facial features

Dentures can be conveniently removed

Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your options for implant-retained dentures/ snap on dentures!