Snap-On Smile: What You Need to Know

Pros

• One of the unique benefits of Snap-On Smile is that it's a quick, painless way to get a new smile. 
• Snap-On Smile costs significantly less than more invasive dental procedures, like porcelain veneers or a smile makeover. 
• It’s noninvasive (no drilling or shots), and it won’t change your own teeth's alignment or tooth structure.
• You can eat and drink while you’re wearing it, because it doesn’t cover the chewing surfaces of your molars (it just fits around their edges).
• You can take it off at night and any other time you don’t want to wear it.
• Typically, it takes just two visits to a dental office to get the device created and fitted.

Cons

• It’s not a permanent solution for fixing crooked, broken, stained, or missing teeth.
• Most people have a slight lisp as they adjust to their Snap-On Smile, though this usually goes away within two weeks (especially if you wear it every day).
• Snap-On Smile veneers can look too perfect, so people may be able to tell they’re not your natural teeth. Some Snap-On Smile reviews from RealSelf members also say their appliance looked and felt bulky. 
• Several other RealSelf members say their Snap-On Smile developed holes in the arch or other structural problems after one to two years and had to be replaced or repaired, at an additional cost. If you’re wearing it daily, you’ll likely have to replace your appliance every few years.

• Average Cost:
• $1,300

• Range:
• $200 - $3,500

Typically, Snap-On Smile costs between $1,000 and $3,500 for a full upper or lower arch. The price you pay will depend on the size and shape of your teeth, along with your dentist's location and level of experience.

Because this is considered cosmetic dentistry, the cost probably won’t be covered by your dental insurance. 

Ask your Snap-On Smile dentist about the cost of cleaning solution refills (if you don’t want to just use toothpaste) so you can factor that into your cost.

It's also possible that your appliance will need repairs, at an additional cost, to fix issues (like holes in the arch) that may develop. 

You should also expect to replace your Snap-On Smile every few years, especially if you’re wearing it daily.

People of any age can get a Snap-On Smile. You'll just need to be in good dental health and have access to a dental office with a Snap-On Smile provider.

Snap-On Smile can help people who aren’t good candidates for a bridge, dental implants, or porcelain veneers, due to either physical or financial limitations.

While the appliance can cover crooked teeth (malocclusion), people with protruding or extremely crooked teeth may need braces or other dental work before they can comfortably wear snap-on veneers.

People who have missing teeth can usually wear Snap-On Smile, but there are a few factors to consider.

“In general, Snap-On Smiles can span a space of about 22 mm,” says Dr. Kaori Ema, a dentist based in Chicago. “Other factors, like the patient’s bite, also need to be taken into account, so a Snap-On Smile doctor would need to make the final determination.” 

Dr. Ema also points out that the rest of your teeth will need to be healthy and free of cavities. “If dental work is done after the Snap-On Smile is made, it might not fit. Also, we don’t want small problems to turn into larger ones by not treating them before placing an appliance over the teeth.”

If you can afford the dental work to replace missing teeth, you’ll help prevent problems down the road. Your remaining teeth can shift into open gaps, which can create new issues with your bite. Dental implants or a bridge are both good options, and part of their cost may be covered by insurance.

First, your dentist will examine your mouth, to make sure you’re a good candidate. If you are, they’ll take an impression of your teeth.

Snap-On Smile is usually designed to cover your most visible teeth—the entire row of either your upper or lower teeth.

Dr. Ema says that it can be done for partial arches, as a temporary option to cover missing teeth, but it’s not the best cosmetic option. She also points out that “fewer people are a candidate for partial-arch Snap-On Smiles than for full-arch.” 

Then you'll choose the style and shade of your new smile. “My personal process for designing the appliance is extremely thorough,” says Dr. Ema. “Everything is individualized and customized to what the patient wants, from the shape of each tooth to how high the gum levels are to the shade. Most patients are surprised there are so many options when it comes to teeth.”

Using your impressions, the Snap-On Smile company’s lab will create your personalized appliance out of a durable resin and send it to your dentist within about three weeks. 

You’ll return for a final fitting, where your dentist will make minor adjustments. Then you’ll snap it on and wear it home.

Snap-On Smile instructions are simple: as the name implies, it just snaps on and off. It’s held in place by your existing teeth and doesn’t require any adhesives, glue, or bonding. 

You may notice a slight, temporary speech impediment as you adjust to having the device in your mouth. This should lessen after two weeks of wearing it regularly.

You’ll be given a special cleaning solution when you’re fitted for your Snap-On Smile. You can buy refills and other cleaning supplies through your dentist, or you can care for it with regular toothpaste.

Just remove the device and brush it when you do your daily dental care.

Yes, you can eat and drink normally while wearing it. You’ll just need to avoid chewing gum or eating sticky foods that could be really difficult to remove. 

You’ll also notice that coffee, red wine, and other dark-pigmented foods can stain it over time, though you should be able to remove these stains with the cleaning solution.

According to the manufacturer, Snap-On Smile is “expected to last several years, with proper care.” Some RealSelf members, however, have been surprised by how soon their appliance needed to be replaced. 

It does come with a 12-month warranty against defects, and you may be able to buy an extended warranty through your dentist.

According to Dr. Ema, real Snap-On Smiles can be made only by a certified dental lab, with the involvement of a dentist. “However, there are a lot of copycat products on the market, including internet versions that require you to take impressions of your teeth at home and mail them in,” she cautions. Examples of these over-the-counter (OTC) snap-on veneers include Instasmile and a product from Brighter Image Dental Lab. High-quality options are about the same cost as Snap-On Smile, but they may not last as long.  

“Any OTC snap-on veneer product will have a much lower success rate and lower patient satisfaction than a true Snap-On Smile,” says Dr. Ema. “One reason for this is that the impressions are taken by the patient at home. Taking impressions is a difficult skill to master, and at-home impressions by a nonprofessional may have inaccuracies” that result in a product that’s unlikely to fit as well or look as natural as when done by a dentist. 

Dr. Ema also points out that “most of these products do not require you to submit a photo of your face, smile, or teeth, and the only design choice you get is the color of the material. It is highly unlikely that the lab can design teeth that look good in your smile without ever seeing your face! You may also have preferences or expectations that they are not equipped to incorporate into your appliance.”

Another thing to keep in mind is that all Snap-On Smiles and veneers “will have some aesthetic limitations because of the nature of the product.” A dentist will be able to discuss them with you, set realistic expectations, and discuss other options. They’ll also be able to work through solutions, if you don’t like your result. 

The biggest reason to see a dentist before considering any snap-on veneers is to make sure you don’t have undiagnosed dental issues, which could get worse over time.