Fixed implant teeth vs dentures vs implant-retained dentures (Perth)
The short answer: Conventional dentures rest on your gums and come out. Implant-retained (snap-in) dentures clip onto dental implants for more stability, but you still take them out to clean them. Fixed full-arch (All-on-X) teeth are screwed onto implants and only your dentist removes them. The right choice depends on your health, your bone, your budget and what matters to you.
If you have lost most or all of your teeth in one jaw, or your remaining teeth can't be saved, you have more than one way forward. This page compares the three main options in plain terms, so you can come to your consultation with good questions.
At a glance
| Conventional denture | Implant-retained (snap-in) denture | Fixed full-arch (All-on-X) teeth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it's held in | Rests on the gums. Suction and sometimes adhesive help hold it. | Clips onto implants placed in the jaw | Screwed onto implants placed in the jaw |
| Stability | Can move when eating or speaking, especially lower dentures | More stable than a conventional denture | Designed to stay in place when you eat and speak |
| Removable? | Yes, by you | Yes, by you | No. Only your dentist removes it |
| Daily cleaning | Take out and clean the denture; clean your gums | Take out and clean the denture; clean around the implant attachments | Brush and clean under the bridge in your mouth with interdental brushes or a water flosser |
| Surgery needed? | No (extractions may be needed) | Yes, implant surgery | Yes, implant surgery |
| Typical treatment time | Usually a few weeks | Usually several months, including healing | Final teeth after several months of healing; temporary teeth depend on your plan |
| Indicative cost | Ask us about options | From $15,000 per arch* | From $28,000 per arch* |
*Indicative starting fees. Your exact cost depends on your treatment plan and is confirmed in your written treatment plan and quote after your free consultation. New patients with an implant enquiry get a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr Justina. It always includes a 3D scan, an examination and a personalised treatment plan. X-rays are taken where clinically indicated. Any further assessment or treatment is quoted separately. Sedation and anaesthetist fees are separate, and any extractions depend on your plan. Medicare generally doesn't cover dental implants. Health fund rebates and finance through an external broker are subject to your eligibility and approval.
Who each option may suit
Conventional dentures
A conventional denture may suit you if:
- you prefer to avoid surgery
- implants aren't suitable for you because of your general health or bone
- you want a lower upfront cost
- you need a solution while you consider implants
Upper dentures are often more stable than lower dentures. Over time, the jawbone under a denture can shrink, so dentures may need relining or replacing.
Implant-retained (snap-in) dentures
A snap-in denture may suit you if:
- your current denture moves and you want more stability
- you are happy to take your teeth out each day to clean them
- you have less bone, or a smaller budget, than fixed teeth may need
- you want the denture to support your lips and cheeks
The clips or attachments wear and need replacing from time to time.
Fixed full-arch (All-on-X) teeth
Fixed teeth may suit you if:
- you don't want to take your teeth out
- you want teeth that feel closer to natural teeth when you eat and speak
- you have enough bone, or are suitable for grafting
- you are committed to daily cleaning and regular reviews
Fixed teeth usually need more implants and cost more than a snap-in denture.
Risks and things to consider
Conventional dentures can cause sore spots and can affect taste and speech. Some people find it harder to chew firm foods with them. Bone loss under the denture can change how it fits.
Implant-retained dentures and fixed full-arch teeth both involve surgery. Risks include swelling, pain, bleeding and infection. Less often, nerve injury (tingling or numbness in the lip, chin or tongue) or sinus problems can occur. Implants can fail to join with the bone or can fail later, and then further treatment may be needed. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes increase these risks. Implants need daily cleaning and regular professional reviews to lower the risk of gum and bone inflammation around them (peri-implantitis). All prosthetic teeth can wear, chip or need repair over time. No treatment comes with a guaranteed result.
Not everyone is suitable for implants. Your assessment will show which options are realistic for you.
How we help you decide
Dr Justina Teo is a general dentist (BDSc (Hons) UWA, FRACDS (GDP)) with a focus on dental implants, full-arch treatment and cosmetic dentistry. At your consultation she will:
- talk with you about your goals, your concerns and your medical history
- take a 3D scan and review it with you, along with any x-rays taken where clinically indicated
- explain which options may suit you, including the reasons an option may not
- give you a personalised written treatment plan and quote
You don't have to decide on the day. Take your plan home, talk it over with family and ask us anything.
Next step
Book your free consultation. New patients with an implant enquiry get a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr Justina. It always includes a 3D scan, an examination and a personalised treatment plan. X-rays are taken where clinically indicated. Any further assessment or treatment is quoted separately.
Call (08) 9228 3430 or contact us online.
DRJT Dental Aesthetics and Implants, 23/51 Farrington Rd, Leeming WA 6149.
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Dr Justina Teo, general dentist. AHPRA registration DEN0001609693.