Conventional Dentures vs Implant-Retained Dentures — Your Options

Losing several teeth, or all your teeth in one or both jaws, has a big effect. It affects eating, speaking and confidence. It also affects the long-term shape of your jaw and face.

When no teeth are left, the jawbone slowly shrinks (resorption). This is because there are no tooth roots to keep it active. It causes the changes to the face often seen with tooth loss. The lower face gets shorter and the lips sink inwards.

For people missing all or most of their teeth, the two main options are:

• Conventional (removable) dentures. These are a well-proven, affordable choice that rests on the gum.
• Implant-retained dentures. These are dentures held by dental implants placed in the jawbone. They are much more stable.

This leaflet looks at these two options for people missing several or all of their teeth. If you are missing only one or a few teeth, ask your dental team for the separate leaflet, Replacing a Missing Tooth — Your Options.

A conventional complete (full) denture is a removable plate made of acrylic (plastic). It replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It rests on the gum. Suction holds it in place, and this works best in the upper jaw. Gravity and the muscles of your lips, cheeks and tongue also help.

If you still have some of your own teeth, a partial denture fills the gaps between them.

Good points:

• Costs the least: NHS Band 3 in England (£332.10) where available. Privately, it is usually £1,000–£2,500 for a full set, depending on the material and how complex it is. Your treatment plan will confirm your exact cost. Fees vary between practices and depend on how complex your case is.
• No surgery and no implants. You only need a numbing injection if teeth are being taken out.
• Can be made fairly quickly, usually in 4–6 visits
• Can be adjusted, relined or remade as your jaw changes over time
• Available on the NHS

Downsides and risks:

• You must take them out at night and clean them separately
• Can feel loose or wobbly. This is more likely with lower dentures, where suction is harder to get.
• Lower dentures in particular can get less secure over time, as the jawbone keeps shrinking underneath
• Some people find some foods hard to chew. Chewy meat, crusty bread, apples and hard foods can be difficult.
• May cause sore spots on the gum if the fit changes
• Do not stop bone loss. The bone keeps shrinking under a denture because nothing keeps it active.
• Need relining (adjusting the fitting surface) or replacing about every 5–10 years as the jaw changes
• Denture adhesives can help but do not fix a loose fit

Implant-retained dentures are held in place by dental implants in the jawbone. They do not rely on suction or adhesive. Instead, the denture clips or locks onto the implants. This gives a much more stable fit, so you can feel more confident. You can still take the denture out to clean it. But in normal use it stays firmly in place.

There are different types, depending on how many implants are used:

• 2-implant overdenture. Two implants are placed in the lower jaw, with press-stud or bar attachments. This is a popular, well-researched answer to a loose lower denture.
• 4-implant overdenture. Four implants give more stability and grip.
• Full-arch fixed bridges on 4–6 implants. This is a more advanced option. Four to six implants hold a fixed set of teeth that you do not take out. It is a separate, bigger treatment.

Good points:

• Much more stable. You can eat, speak and laugh with much more confidence.
• Helps slow or reduce bone loss where the implants are placed
• No need for denture adhesive
• You can chew better than with a conventional denture, closer to natural teeth
• Better confidence and quality of life. Research has shown this many times.
• For the lower jaw, research shows a denture held by 2 implants is usually more stable and comfortable than a conventional denture

Downsides and risks:

• Needs implant surgery, done with a numbing injection (local anaesthetic). Healing takes 3–6 months before the denture is attached.
• Costs much more. It usually costs £4,000–£10,000 privately, depending on the number of implants and the type of attachment. It is not usually available on the NHS for this. Your treatment plan will confirm your exact cost. Fees vary between practices and depend on how complex your case is.
• Not suitable if you have a lot of bone loss (you may need a bone graft first), health conditions that are not well controlled, or if you smoke
• The attachments on the implants wear over time. They need replacing from time to time, usually every few years.
• Harder to look after than conventional dentures
• If an implant fails, the denture may need to be redesigned

There is strong evidence for implant-retained dentures, especially for the lower jaw. Key findings include:

• In studies, people are consistently more satisfied with implant-retained dentures than with conventional dentures. This is especially true for chewing, stability and quality of life.
• Expert agreed statements (McGill 2002; York 2009, British Society for the Study of Prosthetic Dentistry) say that a 2-implant lower overdenture should be offered as a first choice to people with no lower teeth. Whether it is right for you depends on your health, bone, budget and preferences, and a conventional denture remains a valid option.
• Upper dentures are often more stable than lower ones, because they cover a larger area and get better suction. So implants give less extra benefit in the upper jaw. But they still improve results a lot.
• Implant-retained dentures do not stop bone loss completely. But they greatly slow it where the implants are.

Use this evidence as part of your talk with your dental team about which option is right for you.

Your dental team will think about several things when they advise you:

• How much bone is left. Implants need enough bone to anchor into. If a lot of bone has already been lost, you may need a bone graft first.
• Your general health and medical history. Some conditions need careful discussion before implant surgery. These include diabetes that is not under control, osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonate or denosumab (Prolia) medicines, and past radiotherapy to the jaw.
• Smoking. It greatly raises the risk that an implant will fail. Think about this carefully before you go ahead.
• How your current dentures feel. If your upper denture is comfortable and stable, implants there may help less than in the lower jaw. Implants make the biggest difference for a wobbly lower denture.
• Budget. Implant-retained dentures cost much more. Conventional dentures still work well and suit many people.
• Your age and how your health may change. A younger person may gain more from keeping bone in the long term. An older person's priorities and needs may be different.

If you are thinking about implant-retained dentures, or are unhappy with your current dentures, these questions can help:

• Do I have enough bone for implants? If not, what are my options?
• How many implants would I need, and where would they go?
• Would I need a bone graft? How would that change the timing and cost?
• What type of attachment would you use, and how often does it need replacing?
• What is the total cost, including all visits, 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 change to an implant-retained one later?
• What happens if an implant fails? What are my options then?

You should never feel rushed into a decision about implants. Take your time and ask all your questions. If you wish, get a second opinion before you agree to surgery.

NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed each April. Any NHS charge shown here is the England charge from 1 April 2026. Charges differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Private fees are a guide. Your dental team will confirm the exact cost on your treatment plan before you agree to go ahead. NHS availability varies by area. Implant-retained dentures are not usually available on the NHS. Your dental team will talk with you about the best option for your case.