How Much Do Implant Retained Dentures Cost?

What are implant-supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are implant-supported and attached dentures, compared to a traditional denture that merely sits on the gums. An individual would not have any teeth requiring the implant in the jaw and would have enough bone to help the implant to qualify for an implant-based denture.

A denture protected by implants clips into place onto an implant attachment. Typically they are made for the lower jaw since lower dentures are often less secure. Because an upper denture appears to be retentive on its own, an implant-supported upper jaw denture is normally considered only for those with extreme gag reflexes, or who have a strong desire to keep the palate open. That said, implant dentures at the upper jaw and lower jaw are better than regular dentures.

Advantages of implant-supported dentures

There are many reasons why Canadians are searching for implant-supported dentures because if you have missing teeth, it can be a big hit to one’s confidence and appearance. Implant-supported dentures that look like natural teeth, help preserve facial structure, prevent bone loss and are worn comfortably are the next best thing to natural teeth.

There are three types of dentures supported by implants-locator-held, bar-held, and ball-held. The dentures are made of an acrylic base resembling gums and acrylic teeth which for strength may have a mixture of porcelain or composite. The denture is attached to the implant through nylon inserts using a locator-retained denture. Additionally, a ball-retained denture includes ball-shaped attachments that fit into the denture sockets. The motion of putting in and taking out the denture also creates a snap sound for both styles, hence the word snap-in dentures. A thin metal bar parallels the curve of a patient’s jaw, fixed to up to five implants inside the jawbone, in a bar-retained denture. The denture assisted by the implants slips over the bar and is clamped in place.

So how much do implant-supported dentures cost?

Throughout Canada, the average cost to a denture assisted by an implant may vary from $2,000 to $5,000. The cost of operation with the dental implants would depend on how many implants are inserted in the jaw. This can range from $1,000 down to $15,000 up. An implant-supported denture has three components to it. There’s the fixture (looking like a screw) that goes into the jaw, the abutment that’s connected to the top of the fixture to help connect the fixture to the dental prosthesis, and finally the denture itself (or dental prosthesis).

For Ontario, the whole implant denture procedure and the surgery is about $6,000 to $7,000. When you set a budget aside, you’ll need to consider other potential factors that play into the cost. Certain considerations, apart from the number and type of implants, may include additional dental procedures (extractions, bone grafting, IV sedation), as well as the consistency of the implant denture teeth.

How does the implant process work for dentures?

When you agree that the implant-supported dentures are the way to go, the best course of action will be decided by a consultation with your dentist and surgeon. It is important to know what to expect with the implant process, in order to be better prepared. Typically, implants are positioned at the front of the jaw where there are typically more bone and fewer nerves and connections that would affect implant placement.

The timeframe for the whole denture operation assisted by the implants varies. Five months is a short time frame for the lower jaw, which involves both surgery and denture placement. That being said, if bone grafting or other preparatory procedures are needed, the timeline may take up to one year or maybe longer. Two procedures are required for the average patient-one to insert the implant under the gums in the jawbone and the other to expose the top of the implants. Such operations are typically three to six months apart.