South Kensington
- 20 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL
- Open seven days a week
- 020 7183 2362
Treatment comparison · Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Implant-supported dentures or conventional dentures: what anchoring to implants really changes
A denture does not have to rely on suction and gum shape alone. By placing a small number of implants in the jaw and fitting attachments to the underside of the denture, the same style of appliance can be clipped firmly in place and unclipped for cleaning. The teeth look much the same as those on a conventional denture; what changes is how they behave when you bite, talk and laugh, and what the arrangement asks of you in return: surgery, a longer timeline and a higher fee.
Decision guide
Which is right for you?
Choose Implant-supported dentures if…
- Your lower denture lifts when you eat or speak, however well it has been adjusted.
- You dislike using adhesive and would like a hold that lasts all day.
- A scan shows enough bone for a few implants, or you are willing to graft.
- You want to slow the bone loss that follows tooth loss.
Choose Conventional dentures if…
- Surgery is unappealing or your general health argues against it.
- You want replacement teeth within a few weeks.
- Budget is the main constraint for the time being.
- You are trying dentures for the first time and would like to see how you manage before investing further.
At a glance
Side by side
| Feature | Implant-supported dentures | Conventional dentures |
|---|---|---|
| How it is held | Clips onto two to four implants in the jaw | Rests on the gums; shape, suction and sometimes adhesive |
| Movement | Held firmly; does not lift or slide | May shift when eating or talking, particularly the lower one |
| Comfort | Less rubbing because the denture is not relying on the gums for grip | Sore spots and irritation are common, especially as the fit changes |
| Chewing | Noticeably more efficient | Reduced; tougher foods are a challenge |
| Timeline | Several months for implants to integrate before the denture is attached | A few weeks from impressions to fitting |
| Bone | Implants load the jaw and help preserve it | Ridge continues to shrink |
| Fee at Wimpole Street | From £2,950 per implant plus the denture; total depends on the number placed | Full acrylic from £1,095; Valplast from £895; cobalt-chrome from £1,395 |
| Lifespan | 15 to 25 years or more with maintenance; the denture part is refreshed periodically | Around 5 to 10 years before remaking |
| Cleaning | Remove, brush the denture and clean around the implant attachments | Remove, brush and soak |
| Best suited to | Patients with adequate bone who want a secure, removable denture | Most patients, including those not suited to surgery |
In the chair
What the treatment involves
Implant-supported dentures
A 3D scan establishes where implants can be placed, most commonly two in the lower jaw or four in the upper. Under local anaesthetic the fixtures are inserted, and your existing denture is adjusted to sit over them while the bone integrates over roughly three to six months. Once the implants are firm, small attachments are fitted: either ball or locator studs that engage housings in the denture, or a slim bar that the denture clips onto. A new denture is usually made at this stage so that the fit is precise, and you are shown how to seat, release and clean it.
Conventional dentures
The dentist records impressions of the gums and the way your jaws meet, then a laboratory sets up the teeth in wax for a try-in where the shade, tooth shape and lip support can be reviewed. After any changes, the denture is finished in acrylic, in flexible Valplast for some partial designs, or with a cast cobalt-chrome base for added strength and a thinner palate. Fitting normally happens a few weeks after the first visit, and one or two short review appointments deal with pressure points as you get used to it.
Fees
Cost and longevity at Wimpole Street
A conventional full acrylic denture at Wimpole Street will start from £1,095, a flexible Valplast denture from £895 and a cobalt-chrome denture from £1,395. An implant-supported denture combines a denture with two to four implants at £2,950 each, so the total varies with the number of fixtures and the attachment system; an implant consultation with imaging is £80.
Conventional dentures typically need remaking every five to ten years as the ridge changes, and relining in between. Implant-retained dentures last longer overall because the fixtures hold the shape of the jaw, although the clips and the acrylic still need periodic servicing. When the cost of repeated dentures, adhesives and adjustments is added up over twenty years, the implant version is less expensive than its initial fee suggests, though still the larger investment.
All prices are indicative and are confirmed in a written treatment plan at your consultation. Fees are the same at every Medical & Dental clinic.
Weighing it up
Strengths and trade-offs
Implant-supported dentures
Strengths
- Secure hold without adhesive
- Better chewing and clearer speech
- Helps preserve jawbone
- Less gum soreness from a moving plate
- Still removable for easy cleaning
- Longer lifespan than a conventional denture
Trade-offs
- Higher initial cost
- Requires implant surgery and healing time
- Not suitable where bone is very thin without grafting
- Attachments wear and need replacing over time
- Regular hygienist care around the implants is essential
Conventional dentures
Strengths
- Lower initial cost
- No surgery or recovery
- Ready in a few weeks
- Suitable for almost everyone
- Easy to adjust, reline or remake
Trade-offs
- Can slip, lift or click during meals and conversation
- Adhesive frequently needed
- Bone loss continues beneath the plate
- Rubbing and sore spots as the fit deteriorates
- Replaced every five to ten years
- Weaker bite than implant-retained teeth
FAQ
Common questions
Two is the usual minimum for a lower denture and gives a marked improvement in stability. Upper dentures generally need four because the bone is softer and the palate offers less natural retention. Your scan determines the exact number and positions.
No. An All-on-4 bridge is screwed onto the implants and only a dentist removes it. An implant-supported denture clips on and off so you can clean it yourself. It uses fewer or smaller components, which is one reason it costs less than a fixed arch.
Sometimes. If the denture is recent, fits well and has enough thickness in the right places, housings can be built into its underside. Older or thin dentures are better remade so that the attachments are positioned accurately and the acrylic is strong enough around them.
The nylon inserts in locator-style housings wear with daily use and are usually swapped at a routine visit every year or two, a quick and inexpensive job. The implants themselves are checked and cleaned by the hygienist much like natural teeth.
With two implants the denture pivots very slightly at the back when chewing, which is normal for that design, but it no longer lifts or slides. Patients who want no movement at all can consider more implants or a fixed bridge.
Yes. Denture and implant consultations are available now at South Kensington and St Paul’s with the same clinicians and fees. Treatment started there can move to Wimpole Street after 1 October 2026 for the remaining stages and maintenance.
Marylebone, W1
Wimpole Street opens 1 October 2026
Register your interest and we will contact you when the Marylebone diary opens. If you would rather not wait, the same clinicians can see you at South Kensington or St Paul's now.
Related treatments at Wimpole Street
Opening 1 October 2026
Wimpole Street is not yet seeing patients. Until then, please book or call our South Kensington clinic on 020 7183 2362 or our St Paul's clinic on 020 7183 3709. Questions about the new clinic: wimpolestreet@md.co.uk.
Until we open
Need an appointment before 1 October 2026?
The same clinical team already works from two other Medical & Dental clinics. Book at either one now and, if you prefer, move your ongoing care to Wimpole Street once the doors open.
St Paul's, City of London
- 5 Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7AQ
- Open Monday to Friday
- 020 7183 3709
