An implant-retained overdenture is a removable denture that clips onto two or more implants. The implants stop it slipping, and you take it out to clean it. Because it combines surgery, prosthetic work and small parts that wear, the price is best read as a lifetime cost and not a single figure. The quote should show the implants, the attachments, the denture itself, any preliminary treatment and the follow-up. The attachments need replacing from time to time, and the denture may need relines as the gums change. Insurance usually treats it as an implant service with a denture component, and many plans exclude or limit implants. Ask for the price of the implants, the attachments and the denture as separate lines, and ask what replacing the attachments costs each year so you can budget the upkeep.
Published fees for the coded services
| Service | Delta Dental of Washington plan, 2023 | Maryland Medicaid, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Overdenture, complete upper (D5863) | $664 | $325 |
| Overdenture, partial upper (D5864) | $515 | $325 |
| Overdenture, complete lower (D5865) | $664 | $325 |
| Implant body placement (D6010) | $803 | Not listed |
Private offices can charge more, and fees differ by region and case. Sources: the Delta Dental of Washington fee schedule (as of June 8, 2023) and the Maryland Healthy Smiles 2025 fee schedule. For a fee lookup by ZIP code, see FAIR Health Consumer.
What moves the number
What drives the cost of an overdenture
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of implants | Two are common on the lower jaw, and plans vary by arch and bone. Ask why the number suits you. |
| Upper or lower arch | The upper jaw usually needs more support because the palate has softer bone. Check what is proposed. |
| Attachment system | Ball, locator and bar systems differ in cost, retention and maintenance. |
| New denture or existing | A denture may be adapted, or a new one made. Confirm which applies and what it costs. |
| Preparation | Extractions, grafting or a sinus lift add procedures and fees. |
| Sedation and imaging | Both are usually separate line items. |
Complete cost
What belongs in an overdenture estimate
Examination, imaging and the treatment plan
Preliminary work: extractions, grafts or a sinus lift
The implants and surgery
Sedation, if used
The attachments on the implants and inside the denture
The denture itself, new or adapted, and the laboratory fee
Follow-up, adjustments and the first reline
A maintenance plan and the cost of replacing worn parts
Ask for an itemized estimate and use the denture lifecycle planner to budget the upkeep.
Where surprises come from
Things people do not expect
Attachments that wear and need replacing, sometimes within a few years
Relines as the gums and bone change
A quote for the implants that leaves out the denture work
A plan that excludes implants, so the whole cost falls to you
A change of plan at the scan because the bone does not support the design
Compare like for like
Questions that make two overdenture quotes comparable
- How many implants, in which positions, and why?
- Which attachment system, and can any dentist service it?
- Is the denture new or adapted, and is it in the fee?
- What follow-up, relines and part replacements are included, and for how long?
- What is the warranty, and what does it cover?
- How does the lifetime cost compare with a conventional denture or a fixed option?
Insurance
How dental plans usually treat an overdenture
MetLife, Guardian and Cigna list dentures as major care, and UnitedHealthcare says a basic plan typically will not cover implants while plans with major coverage may pay part. An overdenture is both, so plans may pay toward the denture allowance and nothing toward the implants, or the reverse. Waiting periods, the annual maximum and any missing-tooth clause apply as they do for other major work. Because the classification varies, ask for a written pretreatment estimate that lists each code, and confirm the plan's position on implants before surgery. Original Medicare does not cover dentures.
See the dental implant coverage page for how exclusions usually work.
Lowering the bill
Ways to reduce cost without lowering the standard
Call a dental school or advanced-education program to find out whether it places implants for overdentures and how fees are set
Ask whether an existing denture can be adapted and what that means for fit
Get itemized estimates from two providers for the same number of implants
Ask what the plan pays toward the denture and toward the surgery
Compare the lifetime cost with a conventional denture, including relines and adjustments
Questions people ask
Common questions
01How many implants does an overdenture need?
+
It depends on the arch, the bone and the design. Two are common on the lower jaw, and the upper jaw often uses more. Find out why your provider proposes that number and how it affects retention, cost and maintenance. A scan and exam are needed to plan it properly.
02Does insurance cover implant-retained dentures?
+
Partly at best. MetLife, Guardian and Cigna list dentures as major care, and UnitedHealthcare says a basic plan typically will not cover implants. Some plans pay toward the denture and exclude the implants. Request a written pretreatment estimate that lists each code, and confirm the plan's position before surgery.
03Are overdentures cheaper than fixed full-arch implants?
+
Usually the up-front cost is lower, since fewer implants are used and the denture is removable, though results and upkeep differ. Compare the complete estimates, including maintenance, relines and part replacements. See the full-arch implant cost guide and the comparison of implant dentures with traditional dentures.
04Can I use my current denture?
+
Sometimes. A denture in good condition and fit may be adapted to attach to the implants. Otherwise a new one is made. Ask which applies to you, what it costs and how fit will be checked. Denture work may be a separate fee from the implants.
05What maintenance does an overdenture need?
+
You take it out and clean it daily, and clean around the implants. Attachments wear and are replaced at intervals, and relines keep the fit as gums change. Check what schedule your provider suggests and what each visit costs, and keep the implant records and part numbers.
06Is an overdenture better than a regular denture?
+
Many people find it more stable, and the implants add surgery, cost and upkeep. Whether it is better for you depends on your bone, your health and your priorities. Check with your dentist what a conventional denture would offer in your case, and what the trade-offs are.
07Who places and restores an overdenture?
+
Implants may be placed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a periodontist or a trained general dentist, and the denture is made by a general dentist or prosthodontist. Ask who is responsible for each stage and who you call if something goes wrong. See the specialist guides.
08Can I get an overdenture at lower cost?
+
Some dental schools and advanced-education programs treat patients who need implant dentures at reduced fees under close supervision, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Scope varies. The Institute also warns it offers no implants or financial help itself, and that ads claiming otherwise are likely fraudulent.
09How long does an overdenture take from start to finish?
+
It depends on whether preliminary work is needed and on healing after the implants. Often it takes months, with several visits. Ask for the timeline, the cost of each stage and how long you will be without a stable denture, if at all.
10Can an overdenture be removed by the patient?
+
Yes. It is removable, and you take it out to clean it. That is different from a fixed prosthesis that only a dentist removes. Ask how easy the attachments are to handle, and what daily care and replacement parts involve.
11What is the difference between ball and locator attachments?
+
They are different systems for connecting the denture to the implants, with different retention, size and upkeep. Ask which is proposed, why, what replacements cost and whether other dentists can service it. Keep the part numbers.
12Are overdentures suitable for the upper jaw?
+
Sometimes, though the upper jaw often needs more implants because of softer bone. Ask what is proposed for your arch, how many implants, what a scan shows and what the alternatives are for your case.
Related glossary terms
Sources
- Oral Health TopicsAmerican Dental AssociationAccessed 2026-08-17
- Medicare Dental CoverageCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesAccessed 2026-08-17
- What Is a Dental PPO Plan?MetLife Oral Fitness LibraryAccessed 2026-09-24
- Dental InsuranceGuardianAccessed 2026-09-24
- Dental HMO vs. PPO PlansCigna HealthcareAccessed 2026-09-24
- Dental insurance cost & coverage basicsUnitedHealthcareAccessed 2026-09-24
- Finding Dental CareNational Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchAccessed 2026-09-23
- Medicare Dental CoverageCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesAccessed 2026-08-17