Conventional Dentures vs Implant-Retained Dentures — Your Options
If you are missing all or most of your teeth, you may have heard about implant-retained dentures. This guide explains the difference between conventional dentures and implant-supported alternatives.
Living with missing teeth — why this decision matters
Losing multiple teeth — or all of your teeth on one or both arches — has a significant impact on eating, speaking, confidence, and the long-term structure of your jaw and face. When no teeth remain, the jawbone gradually shrinks (a process called resorption) because there are no tooth roots to stimulate it. This causes the characteristic facial changes often seen with tooth loss: the lower face shortens and the lips sink inward.
For people who are missing all or most of their teeth, the two main options are:
Conventional (removable) dentures — a well-established, affordable solution that rests on the gum
Implant-retained dentures — dentures anchored by dental implants placed in the jawbone, providing significantly better stability
This leaflet focuses on these two options for patients missing multiple or all teeth. If you are missing only one or a few teeth, please refer to our separate leaflet, Replacing a Missing Tooth — Your Options.
Option 1 — Conventional (removable) dentures
A conventional complete (full) denture is a removable plate made from acrylic (plastic) that replaces all the teeth on the upper or lower arch. It rests on the gum and is held in place by suction (particularly effective on the upper arch), gravity, and the natural muscular control of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
For patients who still have some natural teeth, a partial denture fills in the gaps alongside the remaining teeth.
Benefits:
Most affordable option — NHS Band 3 (£319.10) where available, or privately £1,000–£2,500 for a full set depending on the material and complexity. The exact cost will be confirmed on your individual treatment plan. Fees vary between practices and depend on the complexity of your case.
No surgery required — no implants, no anaesthetic beyond what is needed for extractions
Can be made relatively quickly — usually 4–6 appointments
Can be adjusted, relined, or remade as the jaw changes over time
Available on the NHS
Drawbacks and risks:
Removable — must be taken out at night and cleaned separately
Can feel loose or unstable, particularly lower dentures (where suction is harder to achieve)
Lower dentures especially can become less secure over time as the jawbone continues to shrink underneath
Some patients find chewing certain foods difficult — chewy meats, crusty bread, apples, and hard foods can be challenging
May cause sore spots on the gum if the fit changes
Do not prevent bone loss — the bone continues to resorb under a denture because there is nothing stimulating it
Need relining (adjusting the fitting surface) or replacement approximately every 5–10 years as the jaw changes
Denture adhesives can help stability but are a workaround rather than a long-term solution
Option 2 — Implant-retained dentures
Implant-retained dentures are held in place by dental implants placed into the jawbone. Instead of relying on suction or adhesive, the denture clips or locks onto the implants — giving a dramatically more stable and confident fit. The denture is still removable for cleaning, but in normal use it stays firmly in place.
There are different configurations depending on how many implants are used:
2-implant overdenture — 2 implants in the lower jaw with press-stud or bar attachments; a popular, well-researched solution for lower denture instability
4-implant overdenture — 4 implants providing greater stability and retention
All-on-4 / All-on-6 fixed bridges — a more advanced option where 4–6 implants support a fixed (non-removable) set of teeth; considered a separate, more extensive treatment
Benefits:
Dramatically improved stability — you can eat, speak, and laugh with much greater confidence
Helps slow or reduce jawbone loss in the areas where implants are placed
No need for denture adhesive
Improved chewing efficiency compared to conventional dentures — closer to natural teeth
Increased confidence and quality of life — extensively documented in research
A 2-implant lower overdenture is considered the minimum acceptable standard for a lower complete denture by many professional bodies, given the evidence base
Drawbacks and risks:
Requires implant surgery — performed under local anaesthetic; healing takes 3–6 months before the denture is attached
Significantly more expensive — typically £4,000–£10,000 privately depending on the number of implants and the type of attachment system; generally not available on the NHS for this purpose. The exact cost will be confirmed on your individual treatment plan. Fees vary between practices and depend on the complexity of your case.
Not suitable for patients with significant bone loss (may require bone grafting first), poorly controlled systemic conditions, or active smoking
Attachments on the implants wear over time and need periodic replacement (usually every few years)
More complex maintenance than conventional dentures
If an implant fails, the denture may need redesigning
What does the evidence say?
There is a strong evidence base supporting implant-retained dentures, particularly for the lower jaw. Key findings include:
Patient satisfaction is consistently higher with implant-retained dentures compared to conventional dentures — particularly for chewing ability, stability, and quality of life
A 2-implant lower overdenture is widely regarded by professional bodies (including the International Team for Implantology) as the preferred minimum standard of care for edentulous (toothless) patients who can tolerate the procedure
For the upper jaw, conventional dentures are often more stable than lower dentures (due to greater surface area and suction), meaning implants have a smaller relative advantage on the upper arch — though they still significantly improve outcomes
Implant-retained dentures do not eliminate bone loss entirely but substantially slow it in the implant areas
This evidence should form part of any informed discussion with your dentist about which option is right for you.
Factors that affect which option is suitable for you
Your dentist will consider a range of factors when advising you:
Amount of remaining bone — implants need sufficient bone to anchor into; if significant resorption has already occurred, bone grafting may be needed first
General health and medical history — certain conditions (uncontrolled diabetes, osteoporosis requiring bisphosphonate or denosumab (Prolia) medication, radiotherapy to the jaw) require careful discussion before implant surgery
Smoking — significantly increases the risk of implant failure and should be strongly considered before proceeding
Your current denture experience — if your upper denture is comfortable and stable, implants there may add less benefit than for the lower; a wobbly lower denture is where implant retention makes the greatest difference
Budget — implant-retained dentures require a substantially higher investment; conventional dentures remain an effective and well-tolerated solution for many people
Your age and overall health trajectory — a younger patient may benefit more from the long-term bone preservation; an older patient's priorities and clinical picture may differ
Questions to ask your dentist
If you are considering implant-retained dentures — or are unhappy with your current conventional dentures — these questions will help guide a productive conversation:
Do I have enough bone for implants, and if not, what are my options?
How many implants would I need, and where would they be placed?
Would I need a bone graft, and how does that affect the timeline and cost?
What type of attachment system would be used, and how often does it need replacing?
What is the realistic total cost, including all appointments, surgery, and the new denture?
What are the risks of implant surgery for someone with my health history?
If I have a conventional denture first, can I upgrade to implant-retained later?
What happens if an implant fails — what are my options then?
You should never feel rushed into a decision about implant treatment. Take your time, ask all your questions, and if you wish, seek a second opinion before committing to surgery.
NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed annually. Private fees are a guide — your dentist will confirm the exact cost on your treatment plan before you agree to proceed. NHS availability varies by area and implant-retained dentures are generally not available on the NHS. Your dentist will discuss the best option for your specific case.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dentist about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Your dentist will confirm what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.
References
Aligned with guidance from: FGDP(UK), NICE, SDCEP, ITI (International Team for Implantology).