Implant-supported dentures and snap-on dentures: how they work

Implant-supported dentures, often called snap-on dentures, are removable dentures that clip onto implants in the jaw. The implants stop the denture slipping when you eat or talk, and you still take it out to clean it. A lower snap-on denture is often held by just two implants. Treatment in Vietnam usually takes at least two trips: one to place the implants, and one to fit the denture once they've healed.

How snap-on dentures work

An ordinary denture rests on the gums and is held by suction, the shape of the gums, or adhesive. The American Dental Association says follow-up visits are generally needed after a denture is fitted, and that implants can serve the same function as the teeth an overdenture fits over.

With an implant denture, attachments are fixed to the implants and matching parts sit inside the denture. When you press the denture into place, the parts click together. A review of attachment systems describes the main types:

Attachment	How it holds	Notes from the review
Ball	A ball on the implant fits into a socket in the denture	The first type used, from the 1960s
Bar	A metal bar joins two or more implants, and a clip in the denture grips it	Links the implants together
Locator	A nylon insert in a metal cap in the denture clicks onto the abutment	Introduced in 2001
Magnet	Magnets in the implant and denture	The least retentive, and now rarely used

Ask your clinic which type it uses and why.

Snap-on dentures or ordinary dentures

A lower denture is often harder to wear than an upper one. A review of the McGill consensus notes that most people can tolerate an upper denture, but that lower dentures cause more instability and discomfort. That's why implants are often recommended for the lower jaw first.

The same review describes better chewing, speech and stability with implant-retained lower dentures, and says patients no longer worry about the denture coming loose while they talk or eat. It also notes they cost more upfront than conventional dentures.

	Ordinary denture	Snap-on denture	Fixed implant bridge
Held by	Gums, suction, adhesive	Clips on implants	Screws on implants
Removable at home	Yes	Yes	No
Implants needed	None	Often two in the lower jaw, more in the upper	Usually four to six per jaw
Upkeep	Relines and adjustments	Replacing worn inserts, check-ups	Professional cleaning, check-ups

If you'd rather have teeth that stay in, read All-on-4 dental implants and full mouth dental implants.

How many implants you need

In 2002 the McGill consensus statement described a lower denture on two implants as the first-choice standard of care for people with no lower teeth. A systematic review of mandibular implant dentures notes that one, two or four implants have all been recommended, and that the minimum number is still debated. Upper dentures generally need more implants. Your surgeon will decide from your CBCT scan and bone quality.

Living with an implant denture

Cleaning. The ADA advises brushing dentures daily, rinsing them first to remove food, and keeping them covered in water when they're out. Clean around the implant attachments too. A review of attachment systems notes that people with limited hand movement may need special cleaning aids.

Check-ups. The same review suggests check-ups every 3 to 4 months in the first year, every 6 months after that, and an X-ray once a year to check the bone around the implants.

Replacing inserts. The most common repair is replacing the nylon inserts as they wear and lose their grip. It's usually a quick job in the chair, so make sure a dentist at home can do it with your system.

Planning implant dentures in Vietnam

1. Send records first. A panoramic X-ray or CBCT scan lets the clinic plan where the implants go. Dental X-rays and scans explains which files to ask for.
2. Trip 1: the implants. The surgeon places the implants. The ADA says the bone can take up to several months to grow around an implant. Ask whether you can wear your old denture, adjusted, while you heal.
3. Trip 2: the denture. Once the implants have healed, the clinic fits the attachments and the new denture. Allow time for adjustments before you fly.
4. Plan recovery. Read flying after dental treatment and what to eat after dental surgery.

Planning your visits shows a typical implant trip day by day, and the trip planner builds a sample schedule.

Questions to ask the clinic

• How many implants do you recommend for my upper and lower jaw, and why?
• Which implant system and attachment type will you use?
• Can I wear a temporary denture while the implants heal?
• How many trips, and how long should each be?
• Will you give me spare inserts and the system details for my dentist at home?
• What does the warranty cover for the implants, attachments and denture?

Our guide to aftercare at home covers check-ups and warranties after you fly back. Every clinic on VietDentalTrip has had its licence, lead dentist and address checked. See how we verify clinics.