implant types guide
Implant-supported dentures: a denture that stays put
Implant-supported dentures clip onto two to six dental implants, so your denture stops slipping and needs no adhesive. You can choose a snap-in version you remove at night or a fixed version that stays in. This guide explains how each one works and who qualifies. It also covers what they cost in Ontario and how long they last.
2 to 6 implants per arch
Snap-in or fixed
No adhesive needed
The basics
What are implant-supported dentures?
A quick, plain-language answer before the details below.
Implant-supported dentures are full dentures anchored to dental implants in your jaw. Instead of resting on your gums, the denture locks onto small attachments on each implant. As a result, it stays in place when you talk, laugh, and chew.
Most people need two to four implants in the lower jaw. The upper jaw usually needs four to six, because its bone is softer. In fact, a 2002 expert consensus at McGill University called the two-implant lower denture the first-choice standard of care.
Stays in place
Attachments lock the denture onto your implants, so it stops slipping.
No adhesive
Say goodbye to messy pastes, powders, and strips.
Helps protect bone
Implants stimulate the jaw, which helps slow the bone loss dentures alone cannot stop.
Candidacy
Are you a candidate for implant-supported dentures?
Most adults missing all their teeth in one arch qualify. Here is the short version, plus where to go for the full picture.
You may be a good fit if your current denture slips, causes sore spots, or makes eating hard. You also need enough jawbone to hold the implants. However, implant-supported dentures often need less bone than a fixed full-arch bridge. That makes them a practical choice for long-time denture wearers.
Health conditions do not rule you out automatically. For example, a 2022 study of older patients with conditions such as diabetes reported 96.6% implant survival. Your dentist will review your medical history, medications, and smoking habits at your consultation.
Often a good fit if you
- Wear a loose or uncomfortable denture
- Are missing all teeth in one or both arches
- Want a lower-cost alternative to a fixed full arch
- Have some bone loss, but not severe loss
Talk to us first if you
- Smoke heavily
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Take bone-density medications
- Have had radiation therapy to the jaw
The procedure
How implant-supported dentures are placed, step by step
From your first scan to your final denture, here is what each stage involves.
1. Consultation
A 3D CBCT scan measures your jawbone and maps the safest spot for each implant.
2. Implant placement
Under local anesthetic or sedation, your dentist places two to six implants in the arch.
3. Healing
We adjust your current denture so you can keep wearing it while the implants fuse with bone. This usually takes 2 to 6 months, depending on the jaw.
4. Attachments
Your dentist connects the attachments to the implants. These are usually ball, locator, or bar style.
5. Final denture
We fit your new denture so it snaps or screws onto the attachments. Then we check your bite and show you how to clean it.
Comparing your options
Snap-in vs. fixed implant-supported dentures
Both options anchor to implants. The difference is whether you can take the denture out.
A snap-in denture, also called an overdenture, clips onto two to four implants. You remove it each night to clean it. By contrast, a fixed denture screws onto four to six implants, and only your dentist can remove it. Fixed dentures feel more like natural teeth. On the other hand, snap-in dentures cost less and are easier to clean.
Snap-in (removable)
- Usually 2 to 4 implants
- Lower upfront cost
- Easy to clean at home
- Attachment inserts need periodic replacement
Fixed (non-removable)
- Usually 4 to 6 implants
- Feels closest to natural teeth
- Never comes out at home
- Higher upfront cost
Cost
How much do implant-supported dentures cost in Ontario?
Implant-supported dentures in Ontario typically cost $10,000 to $14,000 per arch for a snap-in denture on two implants. A fixed denture on four to six implants usually runs $16,000 to $22,000 per arch. Your final price depends on the number of implants and the attachment type. It also depends on whether you need extractions or bone grafting.
OHIP does not cover dental implants. Still, many private plans cover part of the denture itself. We also offer financing from $99 per month.
Typical Ontario range, per arch
$10,000 to $14,000
Snap-in denture on 2 implants
$16,000 to $22,000
Fixed denture on 4 to 6 implants
Long-term outcomes
How long do implant-supported dentures last?
Implant-supported dentures have strong long-term results. For instance, a University of Groningen study followed older patients with two-implant lower dentures for 20 years. It found a 92.5% implant survival rate. Moreover, bone loss around the implants was minor and stopped after the first 10 years. That held true even though most patients had become frail by the 20-year mark.
Similarly, a systematic review of 11 studies found 95% to 100% implant survival with two or four implants. Keep in mind that the denture wears faster than the implants do. Attachment inserts need replacing from time to time. Also, the denture usually needs relining or replacing every 5 to 10 years.
Sources: Mandibular implant-supported overdentures in (frail) elderly: a prospective study with 20-year follow-up, Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, PMC
Number of implants for mandibular implant overdentures: a systematic review, Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics, PMC
92.5%
implant survival after 20 years
95 to 100%
implant survival with two or four implants, across 11 studies
FAQ
Implant-supported denture questions, answered
Straight answers to what patients ask us most.
Do implant-supported dentures feel like real teeth?
Fixed ones come very close. Snap-in ones feel far more secure than a regular denture, so you can bite into firmer foods again.
Can I convert my current denture?
Sometimes. If your denture fits well and is in good shape, your dentist may be able to add attachments to it. Otherwise, you will need a new one.
Does the procedure hurt?
Most patients feel pressure rather than pain, because placement happens under local anesthetic or sedation. Mild soreness for a few days is normal, and over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it.
How do I clean implant-supported dentures?
Take a snap-in denture out every night, brush it, and clean around each implant with a soft brush. Fixed dentures need a water flosser or special floss under the bridge. Either way, visit us for regular cleanings.
Will insurance cover implant-supported dentures?
OHIP does not cover implants. However, many private plans cover part of the denture, and some cover extractions. We check your benefits for free at your consultation.
How many implants do I need?
Most lower dentures need two to four implants. Upper dentures usually need four to six, because the upper jawbone is softer. Your CBCT scan shows which option suits you.