SNAP-ON-TEETH

Along with picking out the perfect wedding gown, bride to be, Jennifer Vasquez, also wants the perfect smile on her wedding day. Jennifer saved herself considerable time and money by opting for snap-on teeth.
“Over the years, my teeth have been slowly getting smaller and duller,” says Jennifer. Trying to save for her wedding, spending a lot of money on veneers wasn’t an option, which is why Jennifer went with snap-on teeth.

“The nice thing about the snap-on aesthetic teeth is that when we do it, it gives someone the feel and the look as if they did veneers,” says cosmetic and restorative dentist, Dr. Marc Liechtung.
Dentist Dr. Marc Liechtung makes a dental impression of existing teeth in order to create a customized prosthetic model that actually snaps onto the back teeth, the molars. The patients’ posterior molars are used as an anchor for the snap-on teeth through the use of concealed hooks that attach onto the remaining teeth. No damage or irreversible treatment is done to existing teeth.
The snap-on teeth, which are made of resin, give patients the chance to try on a new smile without drastic permanent cosmetic dentistry.
“Veneers are permanent. We shave teeth and we remove teeth structure. We’ll remove about a millimeter or less around the tooth, around the face of the tooth to create room to fill material,” explains Dr. Liechtung.
Like dentures, snap-on teeth are removable. But dentures only replace the missing teeth and the appearance of the remaining teeth remains unchanged. In addition, snap-on teeth can preserve original teeth that have been ground down by TMJ because they serve as a guard to protect the remaining teeth from further wear.
“The one thing to remember is, it is a prosthesis and it’s a transitional or non-long term prosthesis at that, so there are limitations,” explains Dr. Liechtung.
Jennifer has been adjusting to her snap-on teeth.
“With my snap-on teeth I’m able to talk very easily, and I sometimes eat with them. Sometimes it’s a little tricky because you have to relearn how to place your tongue when you’re speaking.”
The estimated cost for snap on teeth ranges from $2000 to $3000. Dr. Liechtung says dental hygiene is crucial. Patients must remove teeth regularly and thoroughly clean their natural teeth and the snap-on teeth because food can get caught inside the appliance.