Locator Denture Cost
If you’re missing one or both rows of natural teeth, you may be familiar with the issues that can arise from conventional, removable dentures, or from leaving your missing teeth unaddressed entirely. While conventional dentures are certainly more beneficial than having no teeth at all, they can cause painful ulcers on the oral tissues, and they often interfere with the patient’s ability to speak clearly, eat comfortably, and smile confidently. Locator dentures can be an optimal solution for patients who aren’t happy with their conventional dentures, and they’re generally a good solution for most patients who wish to replace their upper or lower row of teeth, or even those who need to replace both rows. While locator dentures and other types of overdentures cost more than the traditional, removable kind, they provide many benefits and can be considered a solid investment in a patient’s appearance, confidence, oral health, and overall health.
A locator denture consists of two different fixtures, each of which is broken down into components that could affect the overall cost of treatment. Much like a traditional denture, the overdenture itself is a pink acrylic base that supports a row of prosthetic teeth, which can be made of a couple of different materials depending on the aesthetic needs and budget of the patient. The base of the denture has plastic locator attachments snapped onto the bottom of it; these locator attachments correspond with attachment abutments affixed to dental implants. Patients should replace these locator abutments periodically, contributing to overall cost, though routine maintenance is inexpensive and expected. Generally, an overdenture costs around $3,000, though this cost will be affected by the location of the oral surgeon and their credentials.
To support an overdenture, patients require dental implants. These titanium implants are surgically installed in the jawbone, where they heal and fuse permanently with the bone. Once healed, they serve as sturdy roots for attachment abutments that snap the overdenture into place. In most cases, dentists use around four to six individual dental implants to support an overdenture, causing the overall cost of locator dentures to vary widely. With all these factors considered, a locator denture could range in price from around $7,000 to as much as $25,000. While this price may seem steep, it’s considerably less expensive, and less invasive, than other prosthodontic procedures, like full-mouth dental implants, that replace entire rows of missing teeth.
Many dental insurance companies cover removable dentures, but most don’t provide coverage for dental implants. Some insurance companies will cover certain elements of a locator denture treatment, so make sure to check with your insurance provider as you plan your treatment. To help defray your inevitable out-of-pocket costs, most dentists work with third-party financers who can help you with payment options. Locator dentures combine the convenience and affordability of traditional dentures with the stability and comfort of dental implants, but they also provide an additional benefit. When the bone and dental implant post heal together, they create an impregnable bond, and the dental implant continuously stimulates the strength and health of the bone throughout the life of the implant. When there are no tooth roots present to stimulate the bone, it is reabsorbed into the body to be used elsewhere, but dental implants keep this from happening. This helps maintain the integrity of the jaw, preventing the sunken facial appearance that can develop when multiple teeth are missing.