Some of the cosmetic dental options are expensive or painful. You may be hesitant to spend much money or undergo an invasive and painful surgical procedure. If this is the boat you find yourself in, you aren’t out of options. A Snap-On Smile is an affordable and non-invasive way to improve your smile.
What is a Snap-On Smile?
A Snap-On Smile is a removable veneer system that fits over existing teeth. They are made of a thin resin material that can be customized to your preferred style and shade. That means you can ensure your teeth look natural.
What Can a Snap-On Smile Correct?
A Snap-On Smile can be used for:
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Missing teeth (as long as your mouth is fully healed)
- Irregularly sized or shaped teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Crowded teeth
- General aesthetics of your smile
How Can You Get a Snap-On Smile?
Snap-On Smiles require a prescription. Your first step in getting custom-made Snap-On veneers is talking to your dentist about whether it would work for you.
To find a dentist who prescribes Snap-On Smiles, you can search the directory on snaponsmile.com.
Who is Eligible for Snap-On Smiles?
Snap-On veneers are not a suitable replacement for necessary dental or orthodontic care. You shouldn’t use Snap-On Smiles if you have the following:
- cavities
- gum disease
- a misaligned jaw
- broken teeth in need of treatment
- other severe dental or orthodontic issues requiring treatment
What is the Snap-On Smile Procedure?
There are only 3 steps involved in the Snap-On Smile process. After discussing the style and color that you’d like for your Snap-On, your dentist will guide you through the following process:
- Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth.
- These impressions will be sent to a lab so that your Snap-On Smile can be molded to fit your mouth.
- You return to your dentist’s office, and the dentist makes sure your Snap-On fits. This process takes only 2 trips to the dentist’s office.
Is the Snap-On Smile Process Painful?
No! One of the greatest benefits of Snap-On Smiles is that it is pain-free. Nothing painful is involved in getting the dental impressions made or putting the veneers in and taking them out.
No drilling or shots are needed.
Wearing a Snap-On may be a little more uncomfortable than other cosmetic options. However, Snap-on veneers don’t cover the palate or infringe on the gingiva. For most people, any discomfort will be minimal.
Can You Eat and Drink Wearing Snap-Ons?
Yes! You can go enjoy meals and beverages while wearing these veneers. This is great because you can wear them confidently, knowing you can go about your life as if you weren’t wearing anything on your teeth.
There are only a few exceptions. The following should be avoided when wearing Snap-Ons:
- Hot beverages. The Snap-On material can be damaged by hot beverages.
- Gum
- Other sticky foods, like taffy and other chewy candies
Snap-on veneers may affect your speech when you wear them for the first time. Although they are thin, they may make your teeth feel bulkier. After all, they are an added layer to your teeth. But soon (in hours or days) you will get used to them.
Costs of Snap-On Smiles
The cost of a Snap-On can vary, depending on your dentist and your specific dental needs, but usually, it ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 per upper or lower arch.
This is far more affordable than permanent veneers, which cost you from $250 to $2,500 per tooth.
The Snap-On Smile is the most affordable option if you want a full arch of veneers. By contrast, if you only wish to enhance the appearance of one or two teeth, permanent veneers or dental bonding may take less of a toll on your wallet.
What Are the Advantages of a Snap-On Smile?
- The single greatest advantage is that the Snap-On gives you a more beautiful smile. It looks like natural teeth and covers imperfections well. This helps many people feel more confident in their smiles.
- It is affordable. It is far less expensive than many other cosmetic options.
- The process is also easy and stress-free. Getting your own Snap-On only takes 3 steps and 2 trips to the dentist.
- It’s not painful. It doesn’t require surgery or anesthesia, or drilling. There’s no healing period at all! All it requires is an impression of your teeth, and then your Snap-On is made.
- It’s very easy to insert and remove the Snap-On Smile. They do just snap right onto your teeth. There are no clasps or glue needed.
- The Snap-on Smile can be either a temporary or permanent solution. You can pop them in and out of your mouth easily. You can use them for specific events or on a daily basis.
- They are very easy to clean and care for. All you need to do is gently brush the inside of the Snap-On twice per day with water only.
- No drilling or permanent changes to your mouth. A Snap-On Smile doesn’t have the same risks or commitment as other cosmetic dentistry options. If you don’t like them, you can take them out. Your mouth will be the same as before the Snap-On Smile process.
What Are the Disadvantages of Snap-On Smiles
While Snap-On Smiles come with many advantages, there are also some downsides and risks to be aware of.
- They can be more uncomfortable than permanent cosmetic options.
- Snap-On Smiles stain much more easily than permanent veneers.
- They do not last as long as traditional veneers. On average, they need to be replaced every 2 to 5 years. How long your Snap-Ons will last depends on several factors, including your diet and oral hygiene habits. But even under ideal conditions, the lifespan of a Snap-On pales in comparison to permanent veneers, which can last up to 15 years.
- The costs of replacing the Snap-On more often than permanent veneers can make it more expensive in the long run.
- They cannot be used by patients in need of dental treatment. Patients with cavities or gum disease must get treated for those issues first.
- Because Snap-Ons create a space for plaque to build on the teeth, they can increase the risk of cavities and other dental problems.
- They are only made as a full arch. There is no option for a partial Snap-on.
To Wrap-Up
Snap-On veneers are painless and affordable. They are removable and can be worn for special events only or on a daily basis.
While Snap-On Smiles can be a wonderful option for many people, people with cavities, gum disease, or other severe dental issues may not be eligible.
The best thing to do is talk to your dentist to find out if they will work for you.
Snap-on Smile: Your Questions Answered
DenMat Lab. They are based in Lompoc, CA (USA). They make many dental products, including tooth whitening, impression materials, and lumineers. According to DenMat, Snap-on Smile is an alternative to full-mouth dental reconstruction procedures like veneers, implants, or dentures.
You cannot buy Snap-on veneers online or over the phone. It has to be ordered through your dentist. The reason for that is that the veneers have to fit your teeth. They have to be custom-made. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send the impressions to the Snap-on fabricating lab to get your veneers.
Snap-on Smile veneers snap into place as soon as you push them onto your teeth. They do not need to be cemented to your teeth. No surgery or drilling is also involved. Your dentist will supply you with a specialized cleaning solution to keep your veneers clean.
Two to three weeks, provided you do not have any oral complications. During your first appointment, your dentist will take the impressions of your upper and lower arches and send the impressions to a designated Snap-on lab. During your second appointment, you will receive your veneers.
Snap-on Smile veneers are heat and stain-resistant to a certain degree. You can eat and drink with them, but there is a chance that they will be affected by extreme heat and may be stained by tea, coffee, and red wine. The possibility of discoloration is higher if you do not clean your teeth properly and miss applying the cleansing solution to your veneers.
Snap-on Smile and Missing Teeth
According to DenMat, the manufacturer of Snap-on Smile, it can correct gaps or missing teeth. It can be an alternative to veneers, implants, and dentures. But every case is different. After a thorough examination of your mouth, your dentist will be able to tell you if Snap-on Smile is right for you.
Implants are a permanent solution to your missing teeth. They last much longer than Snap-on Smile veneers. They are irreversible. Besides, you need to undergo surgical procedures to have implants, while Snap-on Smile does not require any surgical procedures, bone grafting, or cementation. If you think you do not want to use Snap-on Smile one day, you just stop wearing it.
Snap-on Smile corrects missing teeth by hiding them. The sockets of the missing teeth remain empty and behind the snap-on veneers. Keeping your sockets empty is not a healthy solution. The teeth on both sides of a socket may slide into it. Besides, since there is no pressure on the bone, you risk bone erosion, which is why dentists recommend implants. But if you are afraid of dental surgery, Snap-on is for you.
Sources:
- Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research. Snap-on Smile: A Systematic Review.
- Snap-on website.
- NewMouth. Removable (Snap-On) Veneers.
- DenMat Education.