Dentures vs implants · Cost guide
The 10-year cost of dentures (and how it compares with implants)
When you’re choosing how to replace missing teeth, the first price you see tends to do most of the talking. Dentures look like the affordable option and implants look like the expensive one. But the price on day one is only part of the story. Here’s what dentures can cost over ten years, what that money buys, and how implants compare over the same stretch of time.
The short version
- Dentures start cheaper, but relines, repairs and replacements add up over time
- Over ten years, one denture arch can cost $11,000 or more
- Implants cost more up front, with fewer ongoing costs for many people
- Some of the biggest costs of dentures never show up on an invoice
Why dentures keep costing after day one
A denture sits on your gums, held in place by suction or adhesive. Underneath it, something important is happening: without tooth roots to stimulate it, the jawbone gradually shrinks. As the bone changes shape, the denture stops fitting the way it did when it was made.
That’s why dentures need relines (reshaping the fitting surface to match your changing gums), adjustments, repairs and, eventually, replacement. None of this means a denture has failed. It’s simply how dentures work over the long term.
The 10-year breakdown
Here’s a typical picture for one denture arch over ten years. Every mouth and every provider is different, so treat these as a general guide.
| What | How often | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Your first denture | Day one | From around $3,000 |
| Relines | Every year or two, around 5 to 6 over ten years | Around $500 each, about $2,500 to $3,000 |
| Repairs | Cracks, chips or a tooth coming loose, a handful of times | Often around $400 a time |
| Replacement denture | Usually around every five years | From around $3,000 |
| Adhesive and cleaning products | Ongoing | [CONFIRM: approx. $100 a year] |
| Ten years later | Your third denture is on the way | $11,000+ |
By year ten, many people are on their third denture, with less bone to hold it than the first. And because each reline and repair is a smaller, separate cost, the total is easy to underestimate.
The costs that don’t show up on an invoice
The dollar figures are the part you can count. For many denture wearers, the bigger costs are the ones that build up quietly.
What you eat
Steak, apples, crusty bread and corn on the cob can become hard work. Many people slowly shift to softer foods, and a more limited diet can mean fewer of the nutrients your body needs.
Your face
As the jawbone recedes, the lower face can lose support. Over time, lips can thin, the lower face can shorten and the chin can move forward.
Your confidence
Worrying about a denture slipping or clicking mid-sentence changes how people behave. Some smile less, laugh less, or avoid photos and social occasions.
Your bone
Bone loss continues year after year, and it doesn’t come back on its own. That matters if you decide on implants later, because less bone can mean more involved treatment.
Compare it for your mouth
See how the numbers stack up for you
The figures here are general. The clearest comparison is a complimentary consultation with one of our implant dentists, and a written treatment plan you can put next to the alternative.
How implants compare over the same ten years
Dental implants replace the tooth root as well as the tooth. A small post, usually titanium, is placed in the jaw and bonds with the bone, then supports a crown, bridge or full arch of teeth. Because they’re anchored in bone, implants work quite differently from dentures over time.
| Dentures | Implants | |
|---|---|---|
| Up front | From around $3,000 an arch | Single implant from $5,000, or from $57.95 a week.* Full arch All-on-X from $25,000 |
| Relines | Every year or two | Not needed. Your teeth are held in place by the implants |
| Repairs | Often around $400 a time | Backed by our five-year warranty (T&Cs apply) |
| Replacement | Usually around every five years | No set replacement schedule. Cared for like natural teeth |
| Eating | Some foods become tricky | Fixed in place and designed to function like natural teeth |
| Jawbone | Continues to shrink | Helps stimulate the bone around each implant |
| Ongoing care | Adhesives, soaking, relines | Brushing, flossing and regular check-ups and cleans |
Let’s be honest about the maths. In pure dollars, a full arch of implants usually still costs more than dentures, even over ten years. What changes is what you get for the difference: teeth that stay put, a fuller menu, bone that’s supported, and far fewer ongoing appointments and costs. For many people, that’s where the value sits.
Are implants right for everyone?
No. Dentures remain a good choice for some people, and implants aren’t suitable for everyone. Gum health, bone levels, general health, smoking and some medications all play a part. If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for implants, it’s worth asking about options such as bone grafting, zygomatic implants or pterygoid implants. Avenue has dentists skilled in both zygomatic and pterygoid implants.
The right answer depends on your mouth, your health, your budget and what matters most to you. A proper assessment, including a 3D scan, is the best way to find out.
Making implants more manageable
Cost is the biggest hurdle for most people considering implants, so it’s worth knowing the options:
- Payment plans. Spread the cost over time with providers like Humm. A deposit applies, and approval is assessed by the provider.
- Staged treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment can sometimes be planned in stages.
- Your health fund. If you have extras cover with major dental, you may be able to claim part of your treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dentures last?
Many dentures are replaced around every five years, as the jawbone and gums change shape and the fit becomes harder to adjust with relines.
How often do dentures need relining?
Often every year or two, depending on how quickly your gums and bone change. Your dentist or prosthetist will recommend what’s right for you.
Can I switch from dentures to implants?
Many people do. Plenty of full arch implant patients have worn dentures for years. An assessment and 3D scan will show whether your bone can support implants, and what your options are if it can’t.
How much do implants cost at Avenue?
Single implants start from $5,000, or from $57.95 a week on a Humm payment plan.* Full arch All-on-X starts from $25,000. Your final cost is confirmed in your written treatment plan.
Weighing up your options?
Our implant consultations are complimentary. We’ll talk you through dentures and implants side by side, with no pressure to go either way.
*Weekly amount based on a $5,000 treatment over a 24-month Humm payment plan at 0% interest. Approval and individual circumstances are assessed by Humm. Denture figures are approximate Australian market costs and will vary by provider. Implant and All-on-X prices are starting prices; your final cost is confirmed at your consultation. A deposit applies to all payment plans.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
