Dental implants vs dentures: how much does each cost?

Implants vs dentures side by side

	Conventional denture	Snap-in implant denture	Fixed full arch (All-on-4)
Cost per arch	$1,500 to $2,500 standard[1]	$3,000 to $7,300[1]	$18,000 to $35,000[2]
Removable	Yes	Yes, clips onto implants[1]	No[2]
Typical lifespan	5 to 8 years[1]	15 to 20 years or more[1]	15 to 20 years or more[1]
Jawbone	Not preserved[2]	Preserved[1]	Preserved[2]
Upkeep	Relines every 1 to 2 years, $200 to $500[1]	Mostly a one-time cost[1]	Mostly a one-time cost[1]
Works with advanced bone loss	Yes[1]	May need a bone graft, $800 to $3,500[2]	May need a bone graft, $800 to $3,500[2]

Dental implants vs dentures cost

Dentures are the lowest up-front cost. Real Dental Costs puts economy full dentures at $500 to $1,200 per arch, standard ones at $1,500 to $2,500, and a full upper and lower set at $1,953 on average.^[1] CareCredit’s study lists $452 for basic and $6,514 for premium upper and lower dentures, and $1,968 for traditional ones.^[3]

Implants cost more because each arch needs surgery and several posts. Real Dental Costs puts All-on-4 at $18,000 to $35,000 per arch and full mouth implants for both arches at $36,000 to $100,000.^[2] Its denture guide gives a lower $8,000 to $15,000 or more for fixed implant dentures, and CareCredit’s All-on-4 average is $15,176, so get written quotes.^[1][3] See dental implant cost for All-on-6 and bone graft prices.

Snap-in dentures: the middle option

A snap-in denture is a removable denture that clips onto a few implants. Real Dental Costs’ denture guide puts it at about $3,000 to $7,300 per arch, and its implant guide at $5,000 to $13,000.^[1][2] It costs more than a regular denture and less than a fixed arch.

Lifetime cost

Conventional dentures last about 5 to 8 years and need relines every 1 to 2 years at $200 to $500 each, while implant-supported dentures last 15 to 20 years or more.^[1] Real Dental Costs says that repeat cost narrows the gap over 20 years, though dentures still cost less up front.^[1]

Missing one or a few teeth

For a single tooth, compare one implant with crown, at $3,760 to $5,733, with a partial denture at $1,000 to $2,800 per arch or a bridge.^[2][1] See implants vs bridge cost.

Insurance and Medicare

Pearl says some PPO plans cover implants at 50% after the deductible, up to the annual maximum, and others exclude them.^[4] Original Medicare does not cover dentures; some Medicare Advantage plans do.^[1] Which option fits depends on your bone, gums and health, so ask your dentist or a prosthodontist.

How to pay less

1. Price the extractions too. See tooth extraction cost and dentures cost.
2. Ask about a snap-in denture if a fixed arch is out of budget.^[1]
3. Use a dental discount plan. Care Anytime’s dental benefit shows a sample complete upper denture at $1,067 against a regular cost of $2,273, based on 2021 FAIR Health data for Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago and New York City, and lists a 20% reduction on oral surgeons’ and prosthodontists’ normal fees where available.^[5]