How Much do Implant Supported Dentures Cost ?

The cost of implant-supported dentures is a common question we receive at our St. Catharines dental clinic. Truth be told, there are many factors to determine the cost of implant-supported dentures, including the quality of the denture, the number of implants, choice of dentist, and the preparatory procedures. Before we get into the nitty gritty of what to expect cost-wise, let's explain a little bit about the process of obtaining dentures.

What are implant supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are dentures supported by and attached to implants, compared to a traditional denture which simply just rests on the gums. To qualify for an implant supported denture, a person would not have any teeth allowing for the implant in the jaw and have enough bone to support the implant.

An implant-supported denture snaps into place onto an attachment on the implant. They are usually made for the lower jaw because lower dentures are often less stable. Because an upper denture tends to be retentive on its own, an upper jaw implant-supported denture is normally only considered for those with severe gag reflex or have a strong desire to keep the palate uncovered. That said, upper jaw and lower jaw implant dentures are better than just regular dentures.

Advantages of implant-supported dentures

There are many reasons why Canadians seek out implant-supported dentures as it can be a big hit to one's confidence and appearance if you're missing teeth. The next best thing to natural teeth is implant-supported dentures which look like natural teeth, help to maintain facial structure, minimize bone loss, and are worn comfortably.

There are three types of implant-supported dentures – locator-retained, bar-retained and ball-retained. The dentures are made from an acrylic base resembling gums and acrylic teeth that can have mix of porcelain or composite for strength. With locator-retained denture, the denture is attached to the implant via nylon inserts. Alternatively, a ball-retained denture involves ball-shaped attachments which fit into sockets on the denture. For both types, the action of placing in and taking out the denture often causes a snap sound, hence the term snap-in dentures. In a bar-retained denture, a thin metal bar follows the curve of a patient's jaw, attached to up to five implants placed in the jawbone. The implant-supported denture than fits over the bar and is clipped into place.

So how much do implant-supported dentures cost?

In Canada, the average cost for an implant-supported denture can range from $2,000 to $5,000. The cost of the dental implant surgery will be dependent on how many implants are placed in the jaw. This can range from as low as $1,000 to as high as $15,000. There are three elements to an implant-supported denture. There's the fixture (which looks like a screw) that goes into the jaw, the abutment which attaches on top of the fixture to help connect the fixture with the dental prosthesis, and lastly the denture (or dental prosthesis) itself.

In Ontario, the whole treatment of the implant denture and the surgery is approximately $6,000 to $7,000. If you are setting aside a budget, you have to consider other potential factors that play into the cost. Aside from the number and type of implants, other factors may include additional dental procedures (extractions, bone grafting, IV sedation) as well as the quality of teeth for the implant denture.

How does the implant process work for dentures?

If you decide that implant-supported dentures are the way to go, a consultation with your denturist and your dentist will determine your best course of action. To be better prepared, it's important to know what to expect with the implant process. Implants are typically placed at the front of the jaw where there is usually more bone and fewer nerves and structures that would impact the placement of the implant.

The time frame for the entire implant-supported denture procedure varies. A short time frame for the lower jaw is five months, which includes all surgeries and placement of the denture. That said, if bone grafting or other preparatory procedures are required, the time frame can take up to a year or possibly longer. For the average patient, two surgeries are needed – one to place the implant into the jawbone under the gums and the second to expose the top of the implants. These surgeries are generally separated by three to six months.

Do you want implant-supported dentures? Get a consultation first.

The first step on your journey towards implant-supported dentures is to book a consultation with Hayven Dentures Clinic in St. Catharines, Ontario. Allow us to go over your dental and medical history, discuss the necessary x-rays or CT-scans with your dentist, and create the impressions of your jaws so models can be made. We will also coordinate with your dentist to make sure the process of getting the dentures, to completing the surgery, and attaching the dentures to the implants is seamless.

If you're not already wearing a complete denture, one of our denturists may make you one. This is to be used temporarily until the implant-supported denture is placed. In general, it may take up to five visits to complete this temporary denture. This process helps to determine the best position for the implant-supported dentures and also, this denture can be used again as your final denture and reduce costs.

The costs of implant dentures in Ontario is very affordable, compared to other provinces and we'd be happy to discuss with you our payment options should this be a concern. Whether you're looking at upper denture implants, lower denture implants, or both, we can help. Contact Hayven Dentures Clinic in St. Catharines in the Niagara region for more information.