The Snap-On Smile has actually been around for quite some time, though it was originally developed as a concealing device for patients who were in need of veneers or who were in between procedures. Often in the distant past, the filing and shaving of the teeth had to be done in advance of the making of custom veneers, as bonding agents and technology were not as advanced as they are now. Patients would be forced to have their filing and shaving done for sometimes two months before their new porcelain teeth were available for application. This could be an unsightly and often uncomfortable issue, so dentists would create a snap in plate to disguise the teeth.
This overlay cosmetic appliance was often not very pretty in and of itself, but offered a barrier between the teeth and the world during the waiting period. This concept continued to grow, finding patients who could only afford one veneer at a time over the course of many years using such a device to conceal unfinished dental work. One Dr. Saunaitis decided to use his original concept for the snap in overlay to create a patented device that mimicked the actual shape, color, and texture of teeth, so that his patients could feel confident and good about themselves even through long dental transformations.
This patent has since taken on many duties, including the try on smile for patients who are thinking about porcelain veneers but who want to experience the benefit without the cost for awhile. Today, the Snap-On Smile has taken the world by storm, being custom fitted to nearly any dental condition and transforming the smile, confidence, and lives of patients at the cost of only one porcelain veneer. The Snap-On Smile can be worn nearly all the time, though hygiene would demand that the device and the teeth be cleansed thoroughly many time during each day of use.
Snap-On Smiles are considered to be safe to wear for most dental conditions where the natural tooth is exposed to it, and the device is not noticeable or detectable in social situations. It is important that the Snap-On Smile fit snuggly and securely at all times to avoid slippage or possible chafing and damage to the natural tooth. This device is a far more cost effective and convenient alternative to expensive, expansive, and invasive cosmetic dental procedures and surgeries, but is not a permanent fix, and as such is not for everyone.
