Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants placed in your jawbone, so they stay secure while you eat and speak and help slow the bone loss that follows tooth loss. Traditional dentures rest on your gums. They cost less upfront and require no surgery, but they can slip and usually need relines as the jaw changes shape. Removable snap-in implant dentures typically use 2 to 4 implants per arch, while fixed implant dentures typically use 4 to 6.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures, also called implant dentures, implant-retained dentures or overdentures, are full arches of replacement teeth that connect to dental implants instead of relying on suction and adhesive. Each implant is a small titanium post that fuses with your jawbone over time through a process called osseointegration. Once healed, the implants act as anchors that hold your denture firmly in place.
The Two Main Types of Implant Dentures
Removable (snap-in) implant dentures
A snap-in denture clips onto attachments on 2 to 4 implants. It stays put while you eat and talk, then unsnaps for cleaning at night.
- Pros: far more stable than a traditional denture, fewer implants needed, a lower cost than a fixed option, and easy to clean.
- Cons: it still comes out daily, and the attachments wear over time and need periodic replacement.
Fixed (permanent) implant dentures
A fixed implant denture, sometimes called a hybrid denture or an All-on-4 style restoration, is secured to 4 to 6 implants and can only be removed by your dentist.
- Pros: feels and functions most like natural teeth, offers the strongest bite, and leaves the roof of your mouth uncovered on the upper arch.
- Cons: a higher upfront cost, more implants, and cleaning under the bridge takes a little more effort.
Dr. Schaar will recommend the design that best fits your bone, bite, goals and budget.
How Traditional Dentures Compare
Traditional full dentures sit on top of your gums and are held in place by suction and, often, adhesive.
- Pros: the lowest upfront cost, no surgery, and they can be made relatively quickly.
- Cons: they can shift or click while eating or speaking, upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth, and they do not stimulate the jawbone.
- Upkeep: because the jaw keeps shrinking without tooth roots, dentures usually need relines every few years and eventual replacement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
- Stability: traditional dentures rely on suction and adhesive, snap-in implant dentures lock onto implants, and fixed implant dentures stay in place full time.
- Chewing: fixed implant dentures offer the most natural bite, snap-in dentures are a large step up, and traditional dentures offer the least chewing power.
- Bone health: both implant options help preserve the jawbone where implants are placed. Traditional dentures do not.
- Daily care: traditional and snap-in dentures come out for cleaning. Fixed dentures are brushed in place and cleaned underneath with a water flosser or special floss.
- Upfront cost: traditional dentures cost the least, snap-in implant dentures fall in the middle, and fixed implant dentures cost the most.
- Treatment time: traditional dentures take weeks, while implant options take several months because the implants need time to heal.
How Much Do Implant-Supported Dentures Cost?
Prices vary with the number of implants, whether you need extractions or bone grafting first, and the materials used. The ranges below are broad national estimates, not Schaar Dental Wellness fees. They are meant to show the general scale of each option:
- Traditional full denture: commonly about $1,000 to $3,000 or more per arch.
- Snap-in implant denture: commonly about $5,000 to $15,000 or more per arch, depending on the number of implants.
- Fixed implant denture: commonly about $15,000 to $30,000 or more per arch.
You will receive a personalized cost breakdown and a review of payment and financing options at your consultation. For more detail, read our guide to how much dental implants cost in Victoria, TX.
Are You a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Most adults who are missing all or most of their teeth, or who are unhappy with a loose denture, can be evaluated for implant dentures. Good candidates usually have:
- Healthy gums, or gum disease that has already been treated.
- Enough jawbone to support implants, or the option to rebuild it with bone grafting.
- Overall health that allows for minor oral surgery, with conditions such as diabetes under good control.
- A willingness to keep up with daily cleaning and regular checkups.
Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant problems, so Dr. Schaar will talk through any risk factors with you before treatment.
What the Process Looks Like at Schaar Dental Wellness
Implant placement and restoration are handled in one location, so you work with the same team from your first visit to your final teeth.
- Consultation: an exam and digital imaging to check your bone, gums and bite, plus a conversation about your goals.
- Preparation: any failing teeth are removed, and bone grafting is completed if needed. Our guide to what to expect from a tooth extraction explains this step.
- Implant placement: the implants are placed under local anesthesia, with nitrous oxide available for comfort.
- Healing: over a few months, the implants fuse with your jawbone. Many patients wear a temporary denture during this time.
- Final teeth: your custom denture is attached to the implants and adjusted for a comfortable bite.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Taylor Schaar for Implant Care
Dr. Taylor Schaar is a graduate of the Texas School of Dentistry at Houston and a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). He plans each case with digital imaging and focuses on long-term oral health as well as appearance. If you are comparing providers, our article on how to find the best dentist for dental implants covers the questions worth asking.