What it is
An implant overdenture is a removable denture retained by implants.1 The ACP states that dental implants can increase the stability of a removable denture.1
The two-implant standard for the lower jaw
In 2002, an expert panel at McGill University issued a consensus statement naming the mandibular two-implant overdenture the first-choice standard of care for people with no lower teeth.2 A 2009 consensus in York, UK, supported that position.3 The York statement concluded that satisfaction and quality of life with lower implant overdentures are significantly greater than with conventional dentures, with much of the evidence from randomized trials.3 It described the two-implant overdenture as the minimum standard sufficient for most people, considering performance, satisfaction, cost and clinical time.3
Attachment types
The denture connects to the implants through attachments.4 The main types studied are stud attachments (such as Locator-type) and ball attachments.4
A 2024 meta-analysis of 17 controlled trials compared stud and ball attachments for lower overdentures.4
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Implant survival | Similar for both |
| Prosthetic aftercare | Less with stud attachments |
| Satisfaction | Higher with stud attachments |
| Bone loss | Slightly higher with ball attachments |
The certainty of evidence for most of these outcomes was rated very low.4
One implant or two
A 2026 systematic review of 12 randomized trials with 517 participants compared lower overdentures on a single midline implant with those on two implants.5 Implant survival, bone loss and patient satisfaction did not differ significantly.5 The authors stated the evidence is too limited to make one implant the universal minimum standard.5
Mini implants
Overdentures can also be retained by mini implants (under 2.5 mm wide).6 A systematic review found 92.32 percent survival of mini implants for overdentures, with more failures in the upper jaw than the lower.6 See the mini implants topic.
General information about dental implants. Treatment decisions are made with a licensed dentist.
Sources
- American College of Prosthodontists (GoToAPro): Dentures. gotoapro.org
- Feine JS et al. The McGill consensus statement on overdentures. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2002. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Thomason JM et al. Two implant retained overdentures: literature supporting the McGill and York consensus statements. J Dent 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Girundi ALG et al. Mandibular overdentures with stud and ball attachments: systematic review. J Prosthet Dent 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Tudts M et al. Single midline implant vs two-implant mandibular overdentures: systematic review. J Prosthet Dent 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Lemos CA et al. Complete overdentures retained by mini implants: systematic review. J Dent 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
