Snap On Smile to Increase Vertical Dimension?

Dr. O. asks:

snap-on-smile_teeth.jpgSnap-On Smile has really created quite a stir. I still have not done any but I took the course and continue to follow the progress in the dental magazines. One use proposed for Snap-On Smile is to open the bite – increase the vertical dimension. I thought these were only for cosmetics? Not for use in actual function. I do not see how these can be used to open the bite. They are relatively fragile. You cannot control the occlusal dimensions of the appliance. So how is this supposed to work? Has anybody tried to use Snap-On Smile to increase the bite? Also, is it true that a dental lab has to be licensed to fabricate these and that only a few labs are licensed for this?

Editor’s Note:

According to the Snap-On Smile: “Snap-On Smile is a patented multi-purpose restorative dental appliance that involves no drills, no cutting down of existing tooth structure, no needles, and it’s removable. It’s non-invasive, meaning it is also reversible. They fit directly over existing teeth and can be applied to a variety of situations. It’s made with a specialized resin which allows the appliance to be made as thin as .5mm without compromising strength. Its simple patent design allows a patient to eat without any impingement into the gums.”

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Filed Under Operative Dentistry, Restorative, What's New 

Comments

8 Responses to “Snap On Smile to Increase Vertical Dimension?”

  1. Jeffrey Hoos DMD on April 23rd, 2008 11:02 pm

    I could not understand how the vertical is increased either.
    I also am very interested in how the occlusion is managed because in opening verticals it almost seems that this is critical.
    Will these withstand anterior guidance issues.

  2. Tad Hodgert, DMD on April 24th, 2008 7:15 pm

    I’d ditto the vertical dimension questions, adding it’s use as a ‘high compliance’ orthotic.
    So many of the extensive wear, dramatically tramatized occlussions need pre-permanent stabilization. With conventional orthotics we are doing well to receive compliance just during sleep.
    I often bond ‘pads’ to act as both ‘trial” vertical dimension and as orthotic.
    Is ’snap-on’ durable/stable enough to do both, and may we ‘bond’ occlussal/esthetic changes onto it with conventional materials???

  3. Mark Huels, CDT on April 24th, 2008 10:22 pm

    Can someone show long term wear studies? As a lab owner I certainly would be reluctant to invest in a fad.

  4. Lee on April 25th, 2008 9:07 am

    As a patient with a high narrow overbite ….I would love to try this! I have sarcoidisis and make a huge amount of adrenalin that prevents any type of “serious work”. I am 60 years old and have only lost one front tooth in an a diving accident and would ove to improve my smile …especially the vertical!

  5. Mike Stanley, asst. on April 25th, 2008 6:18 pm

    In our offices, we have used the Snap On Smile as a removable orthotic for a couple of years. They work quite well for opening bites and establishing a better vertical dimension. Since they wear the orthotic at all times except for during home care, the durablility is important. We have had very few failures. They can be made for just a single arch or both arches.
    The key is to develop the new vertical dimension from a reproducable neuromuscular/ functional starting point and anticipate an initial equilibration and several minor occlusal adjustments to find a final resting place. (We begin with the Myotronics K-7 device.) This deprogramming & retraining generally takes 4-6 months, sometimes more.Technology helps find that increased vertical more quickly than other techniques, but we find that phonetics, facial aesthetics, neuromuscular jaw tracking, TMJ/condylar position and other factors all point in the same direction. (When they say, “Ummmmmm” the positon is close!) When all the muscles & nerves are comfortable, occlusal stresses are greatly reduced, minimizing breakage of orthotics, Snap Ons, crowns, veneers and Natural Teeth.
    Some patients will remain in an orthotic of some type “forever”, others can be weaned-off, many of ours will elect full-mouth or full-arch restoration.
    Lastly (sorry about the length), we often use our full-mouth provisionals for that “dial-in” period instead of a Snap On Smile. The final vertical dimension and occlusal design need to be reproduced in the “permanent” restorations if you go that route.
    I hope this helps.

  6. Spencer Bloom on April 27th, 2008 9:08 pm

    I used it for one case and it worked well… I consider it to be, and I’ve prescribed it as, a 1-2 year temporary… a ‘now’ solution for something the patient can’t afford to do the ‘long-term’ way. It provides both esthetics and function. I’m intending it to pave the way for the patient to replace it with porcelain on her teeth (veneers or crowns) and implants in the pontic areas… I expect that as the SnapOn shows its age, the patient will be motivated to have it replaced the ‘long-term’ way. We’ll see if it turns out that way. FYI, the fee was approximately what I’d charge for a standard removable partial… insurance was not involved.

    BTW, they say it is not amenable to bonded additions… it isn’t bis-GMA resin…but I did improve the gingival seal/retention by using bonding resin and flowable composite internally around gingival margins, as needed.

    I still consider SnapOn as one of the patient’s options when they either want a lot of change quickly or when I feel they’ll be motivated by experiencing a significant improvement now and need time to save up for what they actually need… I consider it a ‘trial makeover’. (I like Tad’s phrase “pre-permanent stabilization”)

  7. Mrs. Poonam on May 4th, 2008 7:38 pm

    Is this good for ladies? Does this appliance look next to natural like porcelain or zirconia crowns? I have zirconia bridge fixed for upper jaw & cannot decide what to do for lower jaw. Only gap is created (equal to one tooth or 2) in between 2 central incisors which is to be eliminated. As it is said “Pre-permanent stabilization”, I am considering to try it out. It must be better than partial denture of few teeth. This will give uniformity of the teeth shape & color.

    I do not know which dentist is practicing this in London so that I can visit him to view it. Name of the clinic, address, phone No. & email address.

    Mrs. Poonam

  8. Mike Stanley, asst. on May 8th, 2008 7:06 pm

    Mrs. Poonam, the aesthetics are quite good: Surface is highly polished & smooth, shapes acn be made “ideal” or nearly so, several shades or colors are available. They don’t have as much translucency as porcelain, but that is less important on lowers anyway. Normally they are made for an entire upper or lower arch and can fill many of the spaces between teeth. Most people find them more comfortable than a partial denture because they only cover the teeth and down to the gumline, not across the palate at all. Because they will be thicker than natural teeth (the extra thickness of the material on both cheek and on tongue side) speech may be altered, but most people adapt. Most of our patients have been very pleased with the appearance, but we use them priamarily as a theraputic & diagnostic appliance, so they are usually more interested in the improvement in their pain. The good looks are just a benefit.
    Some dentists market the Snap On Smile primarily as a partial denture replacement emphasizing aesthetics and comfort.

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